Substance Use

Phencyclidine (PCP) Use Disorder Treatment

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Phencyclidine (PCP) Abuse and Addiction Treatment Options

Phencyclidine (PCP) abuse can be serious. As an anesthetic, it is classified as dissociative, because individuals under the influence of PCP become disconnected from their environment, often knowing where they are but not feeling part of it. Many users are at risk of abusing the drug and may need intervention from friends, family, and professionals.

You may have concerns over your own use or be worried about a loved one. Treatment is always available if you think you or a loved one is suffering from a substance abuse disorder. Using Phencyclidine regularly can lead to health problems or troubles with the law if you are caught in possession of the drug. It is a dangerous mind-altering substance.

Learn more about the risks of using PCP, how an individual can develop an addiction to this drug, and how to seek help for yourself or a loved one.

Can You Get Addicted to Phencyclidine (PCP)?

When a user develops an addiction, they form a range of learned behaviors that create an intense psychological bond with the substance. These psychological effects can be more difficult to recover from than physical dependence and require addicts to continue ongoing treatment. 

Phencyclidine is an addictive substance. Continued use can create a psychological addiction and users may also experience physical withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop using.

Addiction to phencyclidine usually occurs after a user develops a tolerance to the drug. This means that their body becomes tolerant to the effects of the drug and they’ll need to use a higher dose to achieve the same “high.” The addiction to phencyclidine that users experience is technically psychological. This doesn’t stop withdrawal symptoms from occurring with discontinued use, however. 

Someone with an addiction to phencyclidine will likely be unable to control their use. They may also need to take the drug to cope with everyday life. If you think your use is getting out of control, it’s never too late to seek help. 

How is Phencyclidine Consumed or Used?

PCP can be taken in various ways. Commonly, it is dissolved in either alcohol or water and swallowed or injected. Other methods of consumption include snorting the white powder or smoking it.

Some users combine PCP with other drugs, such as alcohol, cocaine, cannabis, heroin, LSD or MDMA. This can be very harmful and increase the chances of having bad experiences or overdosing

Each method of consumption can influence the time it takes to feel the effects of phencyclidine. Injecting the drug intravenously is usually the fastest way a user will feel the effects, within just a couple of minutes.

A user that smokes PCP will usually feel the peak effects within around 15-30 minutes. The slowest method is swallowing the drug in food, in a pill or in a drink, with effects taking approximately 2-5 hours to peak. 

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Phencyclidine (PCP) Abuse?

Someone who abuses phencyclidine may display certain signs and symptoms. If you think you are abusing PCP, or have concerns for a loved one over their PCP use, be aware of these. Addiction to PCP can affect many areas of an individual’s life, including their overall health, social commitments, and relationships. 

1. Psychological Side Effects

Some common signs of PCP abuse are evident in an individual’s emotional and psychological state, including:

  • Being in a state of euphoria

  • Unpredictability and mood swings

  • Feeling angry at others

  • Intense cravings for PCP and an inability to think about anything else

  • Seemingly in a sedated state or unusually relaxed

  • Continuing to use PCP despite experiencing negative psychological effects relating to its use

  • Hearing and seeing things that aren’t there. For example, voices or seeing people, animals, or objects

  • Difficulty making decisions

  • A short attention span or inability to pay attention at all

  • Memory loss, having difficulty retaining information, and experiencing short- and long-term memory loss

  • Having no motivation to do anything or fulfill responsibilities 

  • Becoming delusional and holding strange beliefs that are contradicted by reality

  • Acting paranoid or thinking as if something bad is about to happen. An individual may find it difficult to trust others and their intentions

  • Displaying signs of psychosis. These mainly include hallucinations and delusions

2. Behavioral Side Effects

As well as the signs above, someone with an addiction to Phencyclidine may also display behavioral signs, such as:

  • Attempting to reduce the use of PCP and being unsuccessful

  • Having difficulty fulfilling responsibilities such as work, school, or childcare

  • Spending most of their time taking PCP, sourcing it, or recovering from use. This can include having “comedowns”

  • Using the drug more frequently or taking higher doses than initially intended

  • Withdrawing socially, spending time alone, or avoiding certain social situations

  • Losing friends and loved ones due to acting strangely around them, arguing with them, or verbally or physically abusing them

  • Giving up on hobbies, passions, or other activities because of PCP use

  • Having arguments with others relating to their PCP use

  • Difficulty interacting with others due to being in a withdrawn state

  • Getting into trouble with the law or with others because of actions relating to PCP use

3. Physical Side Effects

As well as the behavioral signs and symptoms listed above, someone with a PCP addiction may also display physical symptoms. Common physical symptoms include:

  • Building a tolerance to PCP and taking more of the drug to feel the same effects

  • Experiencing high blood pressure

  • Slurring when speaking, meaning others may find it difficult to understand them or notice a difference in their speech

  • Staring blankly and seeming “out of it”
  • Numbness in certain areas of the body

  • Feeling physical cravings towards PCP and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing use

  • Coughing up phlegm or secretions from the lungs

  • Developing a stutter when talking or finding it difficult to speak

  • Spasms in muscles, particularly in the arms and legs or chest. Some individuals may feel as if they have a fluttering in their chest

If you are concerned about your PCP use or that of a loved one and you noticeany of the symptoms listed above, recovery assistance is available.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of PCP Abuse?

An addiction to phencyclidine can have numerous long-term effects. Because of the hallucinogenic properties of the drug, individuals may be more likely to cause harm to themselves or others due to paranoid hallucinations.

The long-term effects can be both physical and psychological. This is because of the way PCP changes an individual’s brain chemistry.

1. Long-Term Psychological Effects

Every user will experience the effects of the drug differently, so it’s difficult to truly predict its effects. Certain doses can lead to acute schizophrenia and psychosis in some individuals. 

Someone that continues to abuse PCP may be at risk of developing ongoing psychological problems. These include memory loss and difficulty retaining new information or concentrating. They may also experience judgment and perception issues. For those at risk of psychosis, PCP use can trigger this.

A PCP addict may also be more likely to suffer from general anxiety and depression. Continued use can also trigger flashbacks, where an individual may hallucinate and experience effects that are similar to those in an intoxicated state, even if they have discontinued use. 

Long-term use can affect a person’s speech and they may stutter, slur or find it difficult to talk correctly. This can relate to both the psychological and physiological effects that PCP has on the body. Changes in the brain can last long after an individual discontinues using PCP. 

2. Long-Term Physical Effects

In addition to the long-term psychological effects, someone with a PCP addiction may also experience many physical health problems. Dependence as a result of building a tolerance to the drug can lead to feeling a physical need to take it. This physical need may present in the individual through headaches, tremors, or restlessness for example. 

As PCP affects an individual’s perception of reality, it can be easy for them to accidentally harm themselves. This can include the form of cuts, bruises, or more severe injuries. 

Someone that builds tolerance and dependence on PCP may be more likely to overdose. This is because they’ll need to increase the dose that they take over time to get the same effects.

An overdose on PCP can lead to kidney problems, the breakdown of muscles, breathing problems, or heart damage. Long-term use can also have an effect on organs such as the heart, kidneys, and lungs. 

Overdosing on phencyclidine can cause permanent damage to the body and can also result in seizures, comatose states, or even death. If you believe someone is overdosing from PCP, you should call the emergency services immediately for advice. 

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of PCP Withdrawal?

Withdrawing from phencyclidine can be difficult. Someone with a high dependence on the drug may experience a range of withdrawal symptoms. These can include feeling restless, sweating, tremors and agitation. Other withdrawal symptoms can include:

  • Feeling irritable

  • Having trouble controlling the movement of the eyes. They may move frantically

  • Stomach problems, such as diarrhea or pain

  • A high temperature and flu-like symptoms

  • Twitches in the muscles

  • Weakness and tiredness

  • Feeling very anxious

The symptoms listed above are some of the initial withdrawal symptoms a person may experience when detoxing. However, there are also long-term withdrawal symptoms that may be experienced for a period of up to one year after discontinuing use.

These can include: 

  • Feeling suicidal or wanting to harm oneself

  • Short-term and long-term memory problems

  • Depression

  • Changes in weight

  • Problems sleeping, experiencing nightmares, or feeling restless at night

  • Speech problems

  • Disorders relating to mood

  • Difficulty concentrating

What Are the Treatment Options for Phencyclidine Abuse?

Getting treatment for PCP addiction is always an option. Professional intervention is often the best option for anyone looking to break free from addiction. There are various treatment options available to suit you at Zinnia Health and you’ll always have a personalized treatment plan that you’re comfortable with. 

Medical detox is usually required for anyone wanting to treat a PCP addiction. This supports the individual throughout the detox process to ensure they remain comfortable through withdrawal.

Following a detox, inpatient or outpatient therapy is usually the next best step. Therapy allows you to tackle the psychological issues that come with addiction and help to prevent relapsing. 

Therapy is offered in an individual or group setting, or both. It can be helpful to be supported by others that are on the same journey as you. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is often used as a way to help reframe thought processes and learned behaviors that have formed as part of your addiction.

This is something that many people forget to consider when they think of treatment. Detoxing is just the first stage—follow-up therapy is also incredibly important. 

Ready to conquer your addiction and begin your path to recovery? Call Zinnia Health at (855) 430-9439 to learn more.

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