[On her morphine addiction:] I was meant to 'taper off.'…
![“[On her morphine addiction:] I was meant to 'taper off.' At times I felt such pains as must afflict a creature while a bigger beast eats and claws at its middle. God-awful things were hiding underneath my bed, and it was no use telling me they were not there - I knew they were, and felt their…” quote by Evalyn Walsh McLean](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/597/evalyn-walsh-mclean-45391_addiction_on-her-morphine-addiction-i-was-meant-to_1592663.jpg)
“[On her morphine addiction:] I was meant to 'taper off.' At times I felt such pains as must afflict a creature while a bigger beast eats and claws at its middle. God-awful things were hiding underneath my bed, and it was no use telling me they were not there - I knew they were, and felt their dreadful ever-changing shapes.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
During morphine withdrawal, intense pain and terrifying visions felt like a creature being devoured, and denial of the horror was impossible.
In simple terms: Withdrawal can feel overwhelming and terrifying.
Key Takeaway
Seek proper medical support.
Themes
addiction
withdrawal
psychology
Mood
distressed
intense
Type
personal
clinical
When to use this quote
- hospitalization
- rehabilitation
- support groups
- personal recovery
- null
Key Concepts
pain perception
mental health
substance dependence
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you differentiate real vs imagined threats?
- What coping strategies help during severe withdrawal?
A Different Perspective
Physical pain may mask deeper psychological trauma.