AWARD-WINNING presenter Ant McPartlin’s recent revelation about his struggle with a painkiller addiction has brought back strong memories for writer Cathryn Kemp.

The 45-year-old, from Hastings, understands exactly the struggles faced by the star as she spent years dealing with a similar addiction herself.

McPartlin has checked himself into rehab to help him with an alcohol and prescription drug problem.

It is reported his issues stemmed from the painkillers he was given to help him cope with a knee operation that did not heal properly.

Cathryn became addicted to the opioid drug fentantyl for two years following pancreatic surgery.

She was given patches to wear which were supposed to last for three days but because of her pain she was also given fentantyl lozenges and told she could take up to eight a day.

However, Cathryn began to crave the feeling of relief the drugs gave her and within a couple of months she was exceeding the maximum limit and begging her GP for more.

She began to experience such severe withdrawal symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhoea, hallucinations, sweating and violent shaking, that she kept on needing higher and higher doses to prevent it.

Cathryn said: “I hadn’t realised it but I had become addicted. My GP referred me to a substance misuse service but it offered a methadone treatment which I did not feel was the right thing for me.”

Eventually, Cathryn’s GP told her he would no longer give her any prescriptions.

Cathryn confessed to her parents the extent of her problem and they paid for her to go to a private drugs detox and rehab unit,

She said: “At that point, I could have turned to getting illegal drugs like heroin but luckily I didn’t think of it.

“I’m one of the lucky ones because I was able to borrow money and get the help I needed but it makes me angry for those patients who cannot afford to do this.”

Cathryn has now founded the Painkiller Addiction Information Network charity to campaign for greater awareness of how easy it is to become a prescription painkiller addict and how little specialist help is available on the NHS.