PCP is an acronym for Phencyclidine. PCP is an illicit drug that is abused in the United States for recreational use. Street names for PCP include "Tic Tac", "Zoom", "Shermans", "hog", "ozone", "wack" and "embalming fluid". PCP was developed in the 1950's with the purposes of administration as a surgical anesthetic. It is no longer used for surgical procedures or any other clinical purposes due to its overwhelmingly severe side effects. Users are also prone to PCP addiction.
From a chemical standpoint, PCP is composed of an arylcyclohexylamine derivative. In terms of pharmacology, PCP is a member of the family of dissociative anesthetics. The effects of PCP last for approximately four to six hours following ingestion. "PCP works primarily as an NMDA receptor antagonist, which blocks the activity of the NMDA receptor and, like most antiglutamatergic hallucinogens, is significantly more dangerous than other categories of hallucinogens such as mushrooms, which are a naturally occurring hallucinogenic" (Drugs and Behavior, 4th Edition, McKim, William A.). Another aspect of the drug that makes it very dangerous is the fact that it is generated in man-made labs throughout the world - it is an illicit drug only, not controlled, thus users are oblivious to the exact chemical composition of PCP at any one time. PCP users could be consuming a toxic amount without knowing so, thus spurring an overdose. In other cases, the PCP user may suffer negative side effects simply from the additives contained in any given batch of PCP.
Rolling the dice with one's health, brain, and life is not worth the perceived short-term benefits.
PCP is sold on the streets and online illegally in various forms including tablets, capsules, and colored powders. According to the national, government-run resource for a Drug-Free America, "PCP can be snorted, smoked, injected, or swallowed and is most commonly sold as a powder or liquid and applied to a leafy material such as mint, parsley, oregano, tobacco, or marijuana. β¨It is dissolvable in alcohol." When rolled into joints, slang terms for the resulting concoction become "killer joints", "super grass", "fry", "lovelies", "wets" and "waters".
PCP has a bitter chemical taste that usually makes it distinguishable when added to alcohol beverages. In addition, many who use PCP may do so unknowingly because PCP can be added to marijuana, LSD, or methamphetamine. Different users report different experiences using PCP or "angel dust" as it is commonly referred to among drug users. Some people feel that it works as a depressant while others report that it has a stimulant effect. A minority of PCP users report that it acts in all ways simultaneously, thus creating a whirlwind of feelings and an "out of body" fiasco.
Combining PCP with other drugs, like alcohol, increases risks. Also, individuals can become addicted to it very easily. Symptoms of PCP abuse include:
- Psychotic episodes
- Shallow breathing
- Flushed face
- Numbness and tingling of the hands and feet
- The illusion of having an immunity to pain
- Delirium
- Mania
- Disorientation
- Impaired motor coordination
- Sedation
Because of the illusionary immunity to pain, this drug is very dangerous. This leads many PCP users to engage in dangerous activities with the belief that they are invincible. Doing so leaves PCP addicts susceptible to injury while they are high, in which the effects and damages are not felt until after the PCP wears off. For example, if someone falls and sprains their ankle, they may not seek medical attention for the injury. Far more severe health complications can result from PCP use as well.
Addiction
An addiction to PCP needs to be addressed and treated as soon as possible to preclude long-term brain damage. PCP is linked with the development of a brain condition called Olney's lesions. Simply stated, such a condition involves "holes" in the brain.
Short-term PCP users are not cleared from detrimental health consequences. PCP use in adolescents has been correlated with deficient growth patterns and issues with cognitive and emotional development. Short and long term users alike experience memory loss, impaired functioning, depression, increased anxiety, and difficulties sustaining normal day-to-day activities, such as working and playing sports.
Chronic PCP users often exhibit symptoms similar to schizophrenic patients. At times such schizophrenic episodes are intertwined with psychotic episodes. Compounded by these intense symptoms is the sensation of dissociation from reality. When on PCP, hallucinations can occur. For example, one may hallucinate a vision of having wings and then try to jump off of a tall building in an attempt to fly. When used in conjunction with peyote, acid, mushrooms, or other mind-altering substances, it becomes even more dangerous.
PCP Withdrawal
Withdrawing from chronic PCP use is an unpleasant journey that varies per user. PCP users who have smoked or injected the drug for a prolonged period of time may experience symptoms that are similar to those they experienced using PCP. Drug rehabilitation is recommended for PCP addicts so clinicians and addiction professionals can safely monitor them. PCP withdrawal symptoms commonly involve:
- Paranoia
- Confused thinking
- Hallucinations
- Hypertension
- Disorientation
It is imperative that detoxification from PCP incorporates a carefully monitored process in which the client undergoes 24/7 care maintenance by trained clinicians. Thus, inpatient drug treatment centers are the PCP addict's best bet.
In the event of a PCP overdose, medical attention should be sought immediately. Near-lethal doses of the toxin can result in altered states of consciousness, coma, seizures, uncontrollable eye twitching, psychosis and high blood pressure. A visit to the emergency room is not uncommon for those who overdose on PCP.
