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.