Devils Weed Symptoms and Warning Signs

Devil’s weed is a plant that grows in the wild across much of the world; it is also known as Dartura. But apart from being a nuisance weed, devil’s weed is a substance that people often use to induce a high. With it being able to induce hallucinations for up to two days, devil’s weed has been a popular way for teenagers to get high legally. Moreover, with many other former legal highs being banned under the UK’s Psychoactive Substance Act of 2016, increasingly more people are getting their kicks from this readily available plant.

However, it must be noted that devil’s weed can be harmful and use of it can lead to many physical and mental health problems as well as a deadly addiction that can be a struggle to break free from. Many individuals end up hospitalised after using devil’s weed, and it has also been attributed to quite a few deaths across the world.

The flowers, seeds, leaves, and roots can all be used in several ways, and although in some cultures devil’s weed is used for medicinal purposes, there is no scientific evidence in terms of benefits to health. Some believe that it can be used to treat coughs, asthma, and nerve-related illnesses and diseases. Nevertheless, it is regularly used for recreational purposes by those who have no idea of how dangerous it can be or the devastating consequences it can cause.

The leaves of the plant are often dried and smoked with tobacco. Some even mix it with cannabis, which can make the side effects even more pronounced. Nevertheless, it is the seeds that are more commonly ingested, although some people brew the leaves to make a tea.

Other Names for Devil’s Weed

  • Dartura
  • Jimson Weed
  • Angel Tulip
  • Dartura Stramonium
  • Devil’s Apple
  • Devil’s Trumpet
  • Moonflowers
  • Hell’s Bells
  • Thornapple
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Recognising the Common Warning Signs of Devil’s Weed Abuse

If you have been using devil’s weed for recreational purposes, it is important to be aware of the signs of abuse. As mentioned above, it is a dangerous substance that can cause serious and significant health problems. It is therefore important that you are able to recognise the signs of abuse so that you can act before you develop a full-blown physical addiction.

If your use of devil’s weed has increased recently, it is likely that you have developed an increased tolerance for it. Your use of this substance has likely begun affecting various areas of your brain, which may cause you to need more of the drug than before to achieve the desired feelings.

You might also start to spend more and more of your time either using devil’s weed or thinking about it. This can have an impact on your everyday life. If you are increasing your usage and neglecting people and responsibilities, you are in danger of developing a serious problem.

The Dangers of Devil’s Weed Abuse

Devil’s weed is a wild plant that should not be ingested in high dosages due to the toxic effects it can produce. Devil’s weed abuse kills hundreds of people every single year while many more find themselves hospitalised. If taken in really high doses, it can result in death.

Devil’s weed abuse can lead to severe anxiety, vomiting, and heart palpitations. It could also leave you unable to urinate, and these effects can last for up to a couple of days. Nevertheless, it should be noted that some users have claimed that their hallucinations continued for up to two weeks.

Other users have reported feeling completely out of touch with reality after ingesting the substance, which brings with it the very real fear that this type of mental state can result in harm being caused to both the user and others around him or her. There is, then, an elevated risk of injury while under the influence of devil’s weed.

As well as the dangers of devil’s weed abuse in terms of mental and physical health problems, use of the substance can also affect life in other ways. Relationships tend to be a casualty of any type of addiction, and with devil’s weed things are no different.

If you are abusing this drug to the point where it is interfering with daily life, you may be neglecting those close to you as well. Your relationships with family members, friends and work colleagues will undoubtedly suffer as your abuse of this substance becomes more important than anything else in your life.

Furthermore, if you do develop an addiction, you are likely to find it extremely hard to quit. Your illness will progress to the point where you will continue to abuse devil’s weed even when knowing that to do so will cause harm.

Recognising a Devil’s Weed Addiction

Most people find it hard to accept when they lose control of their use of a specific substance, and devil’s weed use is no different. Just because it is something that grows naturally, it does not mean it is harmless and it does not mean that you cannot become addicted to it.

Allowing your use of it to spiral out of control means that the risk of addiction increases. You may not even realise that you have developed an addiction until you try to quit using devil’s weed and find that you cannot. This is because your body will have become dependent on it and you feel as though you need it to function properly.

Recognising a devil’s weed addiction means analysing your use of it and being completely honest with yourself. Have you tried to quit but found yourself going back to it time and time again? Or have you promised yourself that you would only use a certain amount but found that once you started, you couldn’t stop.

If you have realised that you experience physical or mental symptoms whenever you need devil’s weed, it is likely to be the result of an addiction. These are withdrawal symptoms and are your body’s response to the effects of the drug wearing off.

Finally, if you know that using devil’s weed will have negative consequences for you and your loved ones yet you still use it regardless, it is more than likely that you have a major problem and need help to quit.

Devil’s Weed Addiction and the Brain

Devil’s weed contains alkaloids that affect certain receptors in the brain. Medical science does not know exactly how it works, but it is thought that it inhibits the production of acetylcholine, which can then lead to delirium. It can also cause sedation and intense, realistic hallucinations that can last for a number of days.

Learn the Immediate Side Effects of Devil’s Weed Abuse

Taking devil’s weed can lead to many immediate side effects, including:

  • sedation
  • the feeling of body heaviness
  • spontaneous body movements
  • constipation
  • dizziness
  • abnormal heartbeat
  • high blood pressure
  • muscle cramps
  • muscle spasms
  • hallucinations
  • anxiety
  • delusions
  • confusion
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Learn the Long-Term Devil’s Weed Abuse Side Effects

The long-term effects of devil’s weed abuse are still relatively unknown, but it is thought that prolonged abuse of this substance can cause damage to areas of the brain that will result in conditions such as psychosis and cognitive decline. The effect of the drug on blood pressure and the heart can lead to irregularities, which could, in turn, result in increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiac failure.

Intervention for a Devil’s Weed Addiction

If you believe that someone you love is struggling with a devil’s weed addiction, it is important that you speak to him or her as soon as possible. Any type of addiction has the potential to spiral out of control, so intervention is crucial.

You should know that addiction is a progressive illness that will not go away without treatment. If you have concerns about a loved one, then it is a good idea to speak to him or her to explain why you are worried.

You may find that the affected person is reluctant to even talk about the issue initially and may angrily deny even using mood-altering substances. This is a quite normal reaction. Due to the way certain substances affect the way the brain functions, it can be difficult for individuals affected by addiction to think clearly. Nonetheless, provided you stay calm and reassure your loved one that you are ready to offer support, you may find that he or she comes around to the idea of getting help.

Detox and Withdrawal from Devil’s Weed

Quitting any mood-altering substance means going through a detox if a physical addiction is present. If devil’s weed is used with nicotine, for example, then there is a risk of a physical addiction to the nicotine as well, which could result in various withdrawal symptoms when nicotine is cut off.

Treatment and Next Steps

If you have developed an addiction to devil’s weed and would like to quit, it is important that you seek professional help to get better. A programme of rehabilitation will help you get to the cause of your illness so that you can move forward and learn how to live a substance-free life.

Rehabilitation programmes are typically inpatient or outpatient based, but your needs and circumstances will dictate the type of programme that you choose. If your addiction is not severe and if you have a real desire to quit, you may find that an outpatient programme is your best option. This type of treatment programme runs alongside daily life and it also means that there is no need for you to take prolonged time off work or be away from your family.

If, on the other hand, you have a severe addiction to devil’s weed, you will benefit from an inpatient programme where you are away from home and the temptations that go with it. Instead, you will stay in a residential clinic for several weeks while you focus on recovery.


FAQS

What is the shortest possible stay in a residential clinic?

It is usually recommended that your stay be no shorter than four-weeks as this will ensure that you get the full benefit of a comprehensive programme to tackle the underlying issues associated with your illness. However, if your addiction is severe or if you have a dual diagnosis where you are also dealing with a mental health problem, you may be advised to stay for a longer period.

Is there any support available for when I leave treatment?

You could be worried about how you will cope on your return to independent sober living and this is completely understandable, but you should know that a good clinic will never leave you to fend for yourself. Experienced therapists want you to have a full recovery and they know that the transition from treatment to normal living may be difficult. With that in mind, most clinics offer up to a year of free aftercare support for patients who complete their rehab programme with us.

How do I know which programme is right for me?

You are unlikely to have a full understanding of what your treatment needs might be, so it is important that you speak to someone and have a full assessment. You can talk an advisor who will then assess your situation and recommend an appropriate treatment programme to help you get better.

Do I have to take part in group therapy?

If you are getting treated in an inpatient clinic, it is highly likely that group therapy sessions will form a part of your treatment programme. It is natural to be apprehensive about group therapy, though. After all, you may have spent many years bottling up your feelings and hiding things from others and now you are suddenly expected to be open to people you do not even know.

Nonetheless, you should know that most recovering addicts find group therapy hugely therapeutic and an important part of their recovery programme. The chance to mix with others in the same situation will let you see that you are not alone, and you’ll have support from a group of people who want you to succeed.

What about my children – I have no one to look after them?

The issue of childcare often prevents affected individuals from getting the help they need for an addiction; know, though, that without help, your situation is only likely to get worse. If you have no relatives or friends who can take care of your children, it might be worth speaking to your local council to arrange temporary foster care, especially if you have been advised to have inpatient treatment.

Although you may be reluctant to consider the idea of putting your kids in care, this short-term arrangement can help to reduce the chances of more trauma in the long-run. If you do not get the help you need now, your situation might get worse and you may get to a point where you can no longer care for them anyway.

Get Confidential Help Now

Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.