Recovery Poetry 101: The Use of Collaborative Poetry in a Dual-Diagnosis Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program

Abstract

This practice report profiles the author's use of collaborative writing techniques in a dual-diagnosis drug and alcohol treatment program. Examples of typical patient-generated collaborative poems are provided. The author concludes that collaborative group poetry, when effectively facilitated, can generate a meaningful process-discussion toward values clarification. Furthermore, group-writing exercises can be converted to individual writing exercises, enabling patients to continue the process of values clarification through poetry written outside of the group setting.