Phencyclidine, better known as PCP, is an illegal drug that causes hallucinogens and delirium. PCP comes in many forms, including a tablet, capsule, liquid, spray, or crystal-like power that can be swallowed, smoked, sniffed, snorted, or injected.

 

Effects of PCP:

 

Low doses cause users experience:
  • act without thinking
  • hallucinations
  • euphoria
  • feelings of emptiness
  • numbness
  • aggressive
  • belligerent
  • agitated
  • impulsive

 

High doses can cause users to experience:
  • increased heart rate
  • increased blood pressure
  • flushing
  • sweating
  • dizziness
  • numbness
  • a stupor or daze that can last for several days

 

The effects of PCP are unpredictable. The drug can trigger violence behavior or irreversible psychosis. Heavy users develop intense cravings and may get high two or more times a day.

Some first time users feel PCP is too unpredictable and will not try it again while others become addicted quickly. Some users get high daily and mix marijuana and alcohol. It only takes a short period of time to become addicted. Users experience intoxication and behavioral changes within minutes of taking the drugs.

 

 

Physical Symptoms:
  • involuntary eye movements
  • repetitive motor movements such as facial grimacing
  • painful sensitivity to sound
  • increased blood pressure or heart rate
  • numbness or diminished responsiveness to pain
  • impaired coordination and speech
  • muscle rigidity
  • seizures

 

Taking large amounts of PCP lead to:
  • convulsions
  • heart and lung failure
  • coma
  • ruptured blood vessels in the brain
  • death

 

Intoxication usually lasts anywhere from four to six hours but some of the effects can last for several days. Delirium can occur after twenty-four hours of taking PCP or after recovering from a dose and last for a couple of weeks. PCP can also trigger episodes of depression or anxiety that can last for months. Some users feel restless, cannot sleep or stop talking. Users may think they have super human abilities and attempt things that are not physically possible. People who are depressed and take PCP, become more depressed, suicide is a major risk.

Because PCP users may not feel pain, they often participate in self-destructive behavior. This often requires emergency treatment; hospitalization may be recommended because the user may need to be sedated, supervised, and get supportive treatment. There are two types of medications that are used to treat PCP Abuse; they are anti-anxiety medications like Buspar and Benzodiazepines and anti-psychotic medications.

 

Anti-anxiety medications:

Anti-anxiety medications such as diazepam, better known as Valium, is commonly used to treat someone who is anxious and agitated.
Anti-psychotic medications:

Anti-anxiety medications are given when the PCP user experiences delusional symptoms, hallucinations, or feel paranoid.

 

Once the user's condition has stabilized, the PCP user can begin treatment. Some people may develop major depression or an anxiety disorder after PCP should seek treatment for these conditions too.