A doctor prescribed morphine as a sedative and pain killer to your cousin who had undergone surgery. Even after recovery, he craved for the prescribed medicine. What do you conclude about his condition, had he continued with the same medication? After appraising yourself, what measures will you suggest to him to overcome this problem? Briefly explain any two.

Morphine is a strong drug which is an effective painkiller given to patients after surgery. It belongs to opioids which specifically affect the central nervous system by binding to opioid receptors present in the central nervous system. Morphine is extracted from the latex of poppy plant, Papaver somniferum. It can either be given orally or injected into the muscle or skin. Any medicine is good if taken in the proper amount and prescribed time. Addiction to morphine can have various harmful effects like vomiting, nausea, constipation, drowsiness, dry mouth, loss of appetite, itching in various body parts, respiratory depression, impaired sexual function and reduced testosterone levels. Therefore it’s better to stop its consumption once the medication is over.

The first thing I would suggest my friend is to indulge himself in morning walks or simple exercise outdoors early in the morning. Early nature walks help individuals to refresh their minds and also keeps them physically fit.

Another way would be indulging himself in some creative activities like painting, singing, gardening, etc. Spending quality time with family and friends is also beneficial as they are our mentors and guide us in the right direction.

The structure of morphine is shown here: