In Pillness and in Health: A Memoir

I got into this memoir straight away. The story of a chronically ill young woman and an all-consuming addiction to prescription drugs. It was honest- the author doesn’t always paint herself in the best light and I think that’s applaudable. This memoir was different in that she had been introduced to prescription drugs at a young age due to her medical condition.

Here, the addiction intersected with the illness and both facets of this story were fascinating and gripping. There were often blurred lines in where one ended and the other began, with the two roads intersecting at pivotal moments leaving just enough room for self-preservation and justification- be it to herself, her partner, or to medical professionals. She was existing on a knife’s edge.

This is the journey into the depths of her mind during a devastating- and at times frightening- addiction. It’s not pretty but it is candid and soul-baring. I felt like a fly on the wall, with her perceptiveness making every scene feel like it was unfolding before my eyes: the desperation, deception, and self-abuse. The reference to ‘Her’ being the drug of choice and the demanding mistress, heightening the consuming betrayal and rationalizations of the addict. The drug was a ‘Her’; an elicit affair, the third person in her marriage.

She conveyed her own witty and unique energy through the telling of her death-defying story. It was actually quite terrifying- the sheer scale of it. The tragedy being that she, more than anyone, needed to take care of her health. This memoir has demonstrated how consuming addiction is, but also how redemptive recovery can be, and how important it is to never lose hope. This was her own unique story to tell, and tell it she did. 5 stars. I have been unable to put it down.

Thank you #Netgalley for this advanced copy!

Wow! I cannot believe the amount of pills that Henriette needed to get by day to day. I do understand that she is a complex health case with two major organ transplants. You would think that would make a person be extra cautious and thankful; however, this memoir shares that that may not be the case from someone suffering from addiction. Addition is a disease that takes over the brain and may make you do things that you know are not the best for you. Unfortunately this was the case for 'Henriette. Henriette received her first kidney from her mother and her second from her husband. We see that at an early age she become addicted to readily available over the counter medication that then progresses into stronger and stronger pills, whether they were prescribed to her or a close loved one. Henriette shares her experiences the good, bad and raw memories of the extremes she went through to steal, cover and hide her actions. I kept thinking, she is taking a turn and becoming sober, but then life would hit. I would love another book showing more of her life now and she got to this point and maintains her sobriety.