This is were things got hectic with opium and De Quincy, he experienced its powers. De Quincy did not understand of the harm opium can cause, though it contains some 10% of morphine which dulled his ill needed pains it can also cause harm. "Opium addicts in otherwise good physical and mental health whose drug needs are met are thought to experience no debilitating physiological effects from their addiction, although there is some evidence that immune function is compromised. However, their preoccupation with the drug and its acquisition can lead to malnutrition and general poor self-care and an increased risk of disease". In his Pleasures of Opium he praises opium for its healing and euphoric effect. Much is not really known for what goes on in the mind of an opium addict, or at this point opium user. .
Many years have passed since De Quincy first took opium, and he can recall the day as vivid as any other. Now he talks much about the pleasures of opium, the pleasures. I feel he takes this word for granted for when addiction comes into play its no longer pleasurable but rehabilitating. When he was writing about the Pleasures of Opium I really think his mind was faded even then. Know date was ever given at this point, so its hard to assume how long of a committed user or addict De Quincy was. He has admitted to doing anywhere from 700 to 300 drops a day. Lets say he did 200 drops a day for one year, that 73,000 drops of opium in its smallest form. I would assume that for five years straight like that a person could not keep the same thought process that was given to them at birth. In its crudest and biggest form it could have been 182,500 drops in a year assuming 500 drops were taken in a day. I can gather that even this would taint the heaviest of brains. De Quincy even acknowledges that opium is a narcotic and if not taken right can cause damage.