Side Effects of PCP Abuse
People who abuse phencyclidine, also known as angel dust or PCP, may experience a wide range of short- and long-term side effects. These effects can be physical, mental, and emotional. Some people may also find that their personality changes after taking PCP. In addition, PCP can interact with other drugs, substances, or supplements.
The effects of PCP include causing users to feel disconnected from reality, making them act erratically, and increasing their risk of developing psychotic symptoms. Quitting can be difficult, with some users experiencing withdrawal symptoms, including severe cravings.
If you or a loved one want help quitting PCP, contact us today or call (855) 430-9439. We can put you in touch with a treatment center to help you detox and overcome PCP addiction.
What Are Common Side Effects of PCP?
PCP was initially developed as an anesthetic because of its numbing and sedative effects on the central nervous system. However, the effects of PCP are not always predictable. Small doses may cause people to feel happy and relaxed, while high doses could result in feelings of paranoia and hostility.
Some common side effects of PCP include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of coordination
- Blurred vision
What Are Short-Term Side Effects of PCP?
Short-term effects of PCP can last anywhere from a few hours to several days. They can be divided into two categories: physical and psychological.
Physical side effects include:
- Increased heart rate or heart arrhythmias
- Elevated blood pressure
- Increased body temperature
- Numbness
- Kidney failure
- Muscle rigidity
- Seizures
- No perception of pain
Psychological side effects include:
- Paranoia
- Delusions
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Suicidal thoughts
- Violent behavior
What Are the Effects of PCP on the Brain?
PCP is a powerful hallucinogen. This means that when under the influence of PCP intoxication, people may see or hear things that are not real. They may also feel things that are not there. These hallucinations can be very intense and may last for hours or even days.
PCP is also a dissociative drug, which means it causes you to feel disconnected from your body and surroundings. When you use PCP, you may feel like you’re floating or that your sense of reality is distorted.
You may also experience a feeling of euphoria or a rush of energy, similar to what you might feel when you drink alcohol. In some people, PCP can also cause delusions of super strength and invincibility.
What Are the Dangers of PCP?
The physical side effects can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. A PCP overdose is also a medical emergency that can result in coma or death.
If someone you know has overdosed on PCP, it is essential to seek medical help immediately.
Symptoms of a PCP overdose include:
- Extreme agitation
- Dehydration
- Severe overheating
- Paranoia and psychosis
- Irregular heartbeat
- Coma
If you are with someone experiencing these symptoms, try to keep them calm and cool. Avoid giving them any more of the drug, and do not try to force them to vomit. Instead, call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room. PCP is a dangerous drug, and an overdose can be life-threatening. However, with prompt medical treatment, many people make a full recovery.
The psychological side effects of PCP can also be extremely dangerous, making it difficult for someone to think clearly or act normally. Therefore, they can lead to self-harm or harm to others.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to seek assistance for PCP addiction. Zinnia Health uses a unique combination of therapy and medication to help people detox from PCP and regain control of their lives. Contact us today or call (855) 430-9439.
What Are Long-Term Side Effects of PCP?
Long-term effects of PCP use can persist for months or even years after someone stops taking the drug.
These effects include:
- Depression
- Weight loss
- Poor muscle control and muscle breakdown
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Psychotic symptoms that mimic schizophrenia
- Memory loss
- Cognitive impairment, including memory problems
- Speech impairments, such as stuttering
- Tolerance, dependence, and addiction
- Seizures
Does PCP Affect Your Personality?
Yes, PCP can have a profound effect on your personality. The drug can cause you to become agitated, anxious, and paranoid. You may also experience delusions and hallucinations. In some cases, people who abuse PCP become violent.
What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with PCP?
Taking PCP with other drugs, substances, or supplements, especially other depressants, can increase your risk of experiencing adverse side effects, including coma and death.
Substances that are known to interact with PCP include:
- Alcohol
- Benzodiazepines
- Other street drugs
Treatment Options for PCP Abuse
Treatment for PCP addiction typically begins with the recognition that there is a problem. This can be the most challenging step for many people struggling with drug abuse and substance use disorders.
Unless you are willing to admit that you have a problem and want to do something about it, treatment will not be successful. Once you have decided to seek help, the next step is to find a treatment program that can address your specific needs.
Behavior change techniques are employed in most treatment programs, using counseling as the primary method of intervention. The goal of counseling is to help you understand your behaviors and why you use PCP.
In many cases, family and friends will be involved in counseling sessions, as their support can be essential to your recovery. If you are experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, you may need to enter a live-in addiction treatment program where health professionals can monitor your health and safety 24 hours a day.
Although there is currently no cure for PCP substance abuse, scientists are researching potential medications that could one day help reduce the use of PCP by blocking its effects. In the meantime, treatment programs provide an essential source of support for those struggling to break free from addiction.
Quitting any drug is difficult, but quitting PCP can be especially challenging. PCP is highly addictive, and PCP users can quickly develop a tolerance. As a result, stopping PCP use can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations. However, there are treatment options available that can help users cope with the challenges of quitting.
Zinnia Health can help. Our programs offer safe and supportive environments for people trying to quit using PCP. For assistance, contact us today or call (855) 430-9439.
Related Articles
- Phencyclidine (PCP) Addiction Treatments
- PCP and Alcohol Substance Abuse
- PCP Overdose: What You Need to Know