Painkiller Addict (Kemp)

Discussion Questions
1. Discuss the relationship between Cathryn and her GP—was he negligent in prescribing more and more of Cathryn's medication or should Cathryn be held as accountable?

2. Describe the dynamics of the family relationships around Cathryn and how the illness affects her mother Sue and father Albert.

3. Was Cathryn's boyfriend Adrian wrong to leave her during her illness and did his decision to go precipitate the spiral into addiction?

4. Describe the point at which Cathryn moved from pain relief dependency into addiction.

5. Was Cathryn wrong to lie about her growing need for the painkillers to her family and friends?

6. At what point should Cathryn's GP have stopped her medication, was he quick enough to act?

7. Discuss how society sees drug addicts.

8. What was Cathryn's rock bottom moment in her addiction?

9. Describe Cathryn's relationship to the fentanyl lozenges—were they more than pain relief?

10. Should Cathryn have received funding from the NHS for her rehab or is it right she had to fend for herself?

11. How important was Cathryn's family to her going into recovery?

12. How culpable was the hospital which prescribed the fentanyl lozenges for Cathryn in the first place?

13. Describe the conflict between Cathryn's willingness to get off the drugs and her desperation to stay on them.

14. What was the attraction by Cameron for Cathryn, why did he want to have a relationship with her in light of her illness and addiction?

15. Discuss how Cathryn's inability to have children affected her throughout the book.

16. How does the arrival of Cameron's son, Cathryn's stepson, affect Cathryn's recovery?

17. Can you relate to any of the addiction issues raised by the book?

18. Can you relate to the illness suffered by cathryn or pain issues raised by the book?

19. What are your feelings towards Cathryn and her journey by the end of the book?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)

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