What are the Symptoms of PCP?
Hallucinogenic substances have become quite popular over the past decade. They have the ability to induce illusions of euphoria, cause changes in thinking and alter your perception of your surrounding environment. Common hallucinogenic substances include LSD, ketamine, psilocybin, ecstasy and PCP. PCP, or phencyclidine, is a dissociative anesthetic commonly used as a recreational drug. It has the ability to cause the user to detach and disassociate from reality, and their surroundings and can produce intense feelings of euphoria.
PCP was discovered in 1926 and was created as a general anesthetic in the 1950s. The drug was able to achieve analgesia and anesthesia properties with minimal cardiovascular and respiratory depression. Meaning it was safer to use without serious side effects. It was originally created as an anesthetic and animal tranquilizer and was limited to veterinary use only. Ketamine is the only other hallucinogenic drug that is legal for medical use in the United States. With growing popularity as a recreational drug, in the 1960s, the drug began illegally manufacturing in labs becoming a popular street drug in San Francisco.
Today the Schedule II Controlled Substance is more commonly found on the illicit street market and goes by various names such as peace pill, angel dust, crystal joints, rocket fuel, sawgrass, zoom and elephant tranquilizer. Between 2005 to 2011, there was a 400% increase in PCP related ER visits. From these numbers, men accounted for an estimated 69% of the patients in the ER. Today PCP is a popular street drug among young adults who often soak cigarettes in PCP liquid in an attempt to achieve intense euphoric effects while they smoke.
What is PCP? How does it work?
PCP usually appears as a white crystalline powder. It can also be found in tablet, liquid or crystal-like rock form. It can be snorted, smoked, orally ingested or injected. Inhalation and intravenous routes of administration of PCP can produce effects within 2-5 minutes after initial ingestion. Through oral ingestion, PCP can produce effects within 30-60 minutes after initial ingestion. The most common and popular method of ingestion is through smoking, which covers about 70% of users inhaling the mind-altering hallucinogen.
The drug is technically not considered to be addictive. However, when abused, it can lead to dependence, cravings and other problematic patterns of use. This is because it can impact the brain’s chemical composition. Why do people abuse the drug? Oftentimes, people who seek out sensory distortion or pseudo-spiritual experiences are the ones who recreationally use or misuse the drug. It can produce feelings of both stimulation and sedation of the central nervous system.
It works by blocking the uptake of dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine, which allows more of these neurochemicals to be available for use. It greatly impacts the NMDA receptor in the hippocampus, neocortex, basal ganglia and limbic system of the brain.
The half-life of PCP is around three days. It is a long-lasting substance. The effects of PCP can last anywhere from 7 hours to as long as 7 days depending on the dose and how often a user is taking the drug. However, the longer-lasting effects are more seen in chronic and severe users of PCP. A dose of around 1-5mg of PCP can orally inhibit the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. It can also increase the dopamine and norepinephrine production in the brain.
Common Symptoms of PCP Abuse
- Hypoglycemia
- Hypertension
- Severe agitation
- Hyperthermia
- Tachycardia
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Violent behaviors
- Muscle rigidity
- Ataxia
- Coma
- High blood pressure
- Loss of coordination
- Disorientation
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Short Term Effects
- Euphoria
- Feeling immune to pain
- Feeling like you have superhuman strength
- Paranoia
- Panic and terror
- Robotic and stiff demeanor
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurry vision
- Chills and shakes
- Inability to speak coherently
- Increased heart rate
- Increased body temperature
- Seizures
- Little to no perception of pain
Long Term Effects
- Depression
- Weight loss
- Poor muscle control
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Psychotic symptoms that can mimic schizophrenia
- Memory loss
- Cognitive impairment
- Speech impairment
- Tolerance and seizures
- Flashbacks
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Social isolation
- Toxic psychosis
- Cardiac arrest
The side effects of PCP aren’t always the same and aren’t always predictable. Small doses can produce feelings of joy, relaxation and euphoria. It can also cause side effects such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, hallucinations and disorientation. In high doses of PCP, it can produce feelings of paranoia, and anxiety as well as create breathing issues, panic attacks, violent behaviors and even psychosis seizures.
The symptoms of PCP are subjective because everyone’s experience is different and can vary widely. They can even be different and unpredictable during each trip or use of PCP. Someone who uses PCP can become aggressive and hostile, while another person can produce feelings of empathy or anxiety. Users will hardly experience the same exact symptoms or side effects during each trip.
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Treatment of Substance Use Disorder
PCP can produce feelings of floating or a sense of distorted reality. Though not considered to be an addictive substance, there is potential for dependence and abuse of the drug when users attempt to produce feelings of euphoria. PCP can have a wide range of effects on the central nervous system and can also impact a person’s personality. Symptoms of agitation, anxiety, paranoia, delusions and hallucinations are common when taking PCP.
PCP is also affected by genetic factors, a person’s emotional state of being, tolerance, physical health, mental health and co-occurring conditions. Addiction to PCP can be dangerous. Behavioral health treatment programs such as Hotel California by the Sea provide rigorous and intense substance use disorder treatment for an addiction to PCP.
We provide all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We also utilize evidence-proven treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, group therapy and family therapy. The combination of medication management and individual cognitive therapies can create a well-rounded treatment for those who are diagnosed with a substance use disorder. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping our clients achieve sobriety and recovery.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2859735
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507865
https://www.addictions.com/hallucinogens/signs-symptoms-pcp-addiction
https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/hallucinogens/pcp-phencyclidine/