“Living Free from PCP Addiction: What You Need to Know”

Angel Dust, Rocket Fuel, Wack, Lovely, Hog, and PeaCe Pill—these are only some of the most common street names for Phencyclidine or PCP.

But beyond these names there are a lot of facts that people should know about this dissociative drug. Today we will discuss PCP abuse and its effects, as well as how treatment works for those who want to get back to living an addiction-free life.

Overview

PCP is a member of the arylcyclohexylamine class of drugs. It is among the dissociative anesthetics in pharmacology, and works primarily as an NMDA receptor antagonist. In its pure form, PCP is a white crystalline powder. Recreational users note that it has a distinctively bitter taste that’s reminiscent of chemicals.

It comes in many forms including capsules, tablets, and even colored powders. It is usually snorted or taken orally. Some users, however, spray it onto leafy materials such as mint, oregano, or marijuana.

The combination of PCP and cannabis is referred to as “Supergrass” because they each boost the effects of the other.

History

PCP was first brought into the market as an anesthetic pharmaceutical drug, back in the 1950s. However, it was taken out of the market in 1965 because of its dissociative side effects and high risk of abuse.

PCP’s popularity as a pharmaceutical drug would further be affected by the discovery of Ketamine, courtesy of Parke-Davis researchers. Ketamine would then be considered a better alternative for the same anesthetic applications.

However, PCP would still become popular in its own right—amongst illicit users, that is. Its synthetic derivatives would be sold for recreational use. In 1978, the usage of PCP blew up and became a major drug problem.

Nowadays, this substance is still considered a Schedule II substance in the US.

Signs of Abuse

If you fear that someone you love is abusing PCP, there are a few signs you can look out for. Signs and symptoms caused by PCP abuse will vary from person to person—it depends on a number of factors such as age, gender, weight, health condition, and drug habits.

Someone who misuses PCP is bound to feel intoxicated or unable to walk properly. Low doses of the drug could cause them to feel numb in their extremities. They are likely to have bloodshot eyes.

Other common signs of PCP abuse include slurred speech, loss of balance, and inability to concentrate.

Users who have taken moderate doses feel as if they are detached from reality. They feel strong and unstoppable—as if they are invulnerable. They will feel distant from their own surroundings.

Abuse Effects and Withdrawal

Abusing PCP can lead to dangerous consequences. The user’s health can be affected in a negative way, causing them to experience nausea, vomiting, drooling, and dizziness. They may also encounter adverse effects such as blurred vision, involuntary eye movements, low blood pressure, and convulsions.

It’s easy to see if someone is high on PCP because they will likely display an exaggerated loss of coordination, stumbling around and tripping over things they could’ve easily avoided otherwise.

It also has some severe psychological effects: causing paranoia, amnesia, hallucinations, and even psychosis in long term abusers. Family members could expect these people to become irrational, or even violently hostile. Severe mood disorders are also very common.

Aside from the fact that it can cause tolerance, dependence, and addiction just like other illicit substances, PCP also has a reputation for causing seizures, coma, and even death.

As with other drugs, continuous abuse of PCP can lead to tolerance and addiction. The former refers to when the body has adapted to the drug’s presence. The person can only experience the same euphoric effects by taking more PCP than usual. Addiction is the compulsive need to take the drug, even when the consequences are already being felt. For example, memory loss is a common symptom among PCP-addicted individuals—but they will continue taking the drug anyway.

Dependence is also possible, wherein the user’s body can no longer function properly without the drug. Quitting at this point can lead to some unpleasant withdrawal effects.

It’s no question that PCP abuse can destroy a person’s life. Even their interpersonal relationships can also suffer in the process, ruining friendships and breaking families apart as the user’s health deteriorates.

Addiction Treatment

Managing PCP should involve detoxification and supportive care—the latter must be provided by loved ones and medical professionals alike. The treatment would depend on the person’s condition: the intensity of their symptoms, their present health condition, and their drug habits.

But most likely, the patient will gradually be taken off the drug. Their intake will be lowered for a certain period of time so that withdrawal effects would be more manageable. This may be an inpatient treatment or an outpatient treatment.

Once the withdrawal period is over, the addiction treatment therapy may begin. There are countless ways to help a person recover: through counseling, through addiction education, through art, music, or equine therapy, among other popular methods.

Getting your loved one into a PCP rehab center can be difficult, but it is possible to conquer this addiction. They’ll be able to live an addiction-free life once more.

Addiction Free Solutions

Dont be problem focused. Be solution focused! At Addiction Free Solutions, we know that the solution lies within you. You have to commit to living a sober life. We help connect you with a center that can help assist you from detox and rehab to therapy. We want you to get the help that you need so you can go on and inspire others. Looking for in-patient, out-patient or sober living afterwards? We help you with that as well!