Phencyclidine Dependence
Phencyclidine Dependence
Phencyclidine Dependence
Phencyclidine dependence is characterized by tolerance to increasing doses to achieve the desired effect, inability to control one’s intake, and continued use despite an awareness of the harmful effects.
Phencyclidine (PCP) is a hallucinogenic drug used recreationally for its mind-altering effects, particularly its ability to induce a dissociative state. It’s a Schedule II drug, which means people are quick to become addicted and dependent on it. The street names of PCP include angel dust, peace pills, and belladonna, among others.
PCP is available in tablet, capsule, or powder form and can be smoked, snorted, or ingested orally. Injecting it is rare. It may also be mixed with cannabis / marijuana, tobacco, and/or other substances. Depending on the method used, PCP effects can last from four to six hours, but the body is not free of the substance for about a week. PCP use has a high risk of causing seizures or a coma, and users are also more at risk of acting out suicidal thoughts or doing life-threatening activities.
Prevalence
As of 2017, approximately 3% of those over the age of 25 in the US reported using PCP at some point in their lives.
Symptoms of Opioid Dependency:
Mental, behavioral, and psychological effects of PCP include:
Physical effects of PCP include:
Risk factors for Opioid Dependence:
The effects of PCP use may persist for up to twelve months after quitting. There is also a high risk of developing schizophrenia in users who experience PCP-induced psychosis. People have died after just one use of PCP because they feel invincible. PCP can also cause people to go in a coma. Without professional treatment and support, an ongoing PCP user could well end up insane or dead.
People who use excessive amounts of PCP over a prolonged period of time are at increased risk of becoming dependent on this drug. PCP dependence can cause impairment in functioning at home, work, school, or social settings, and it can place a tremendous amount of stress and strain on interpersonal relationships.
When mixed with other drugs such as alcohol or nerve sedating meds, the risks of severe physical and mental reactions are much higher.
Treatment for Opioid Dependence:
People with PCP dependence can receive treatment in inpatient or outpatient healthcare settings depending on the severity of their withdrawal symptoms and other factors such as medical needs, additional psychiatric conditions, and the amount of social support available. A professional intervention is usually required to get a loved one into an in-house treatment program.
Symptoms of Opioid Dependency
Mental, behavioral, and psychological effects of PCP include:
Physical effects of PCP include:
Risk factors for Opioid Dependence
The effects of PCP use may persist for up to twelve months after quitting. There is also a high risk of developing schizophrenia in users who experience PCP-induced psychosis. People have died after just one use of PCP because they feel invincible. PCP can also cause people to go in a coma. Without professional treatment and support, an ongoing PCP user could well end up insane or dead.
People who use excessive amounts of PCP over a prolonged period of time are at increased risk of becoming dependent on this drug. PCP dependence can cause impairment in functioning at home, work, school, or social settings, and it can place a tremendous amount of stress and strain on interpersonal relationships.
When mixed with other drugs such as alcohol or nerve sedating meds, the risks of severe physical and mental reactions are much higher.