Toxic psychosis can also develop, causing hostility, paranoia, and delusions in users. The effects can be hard to predict, because production and sale are illegal and therefore not controlled. However, because the drug is made illegally in uncontrolled conditions, there is no way of knowing how much is being taken, or what the effect will be. PCP affects multiple neurotransmitter systems in the brain. It inhibits the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Leafy plants such as mint, parsley or marijuana are often sprayed with the chemical, or a rolled joint is dipped into a PCP solution and then smoked.
Health Conditions
Most people smoke it by sprinkling it on cannabis, tobacco, or plant leaves like mint or parsley. People also dissolve it in a liquid and dip cigarettes or joints in the solution. Despite this fall in its use, PCP is still a matter of concern to health authorities and drug agencies. Treatment with a drug rehabilitation center or addiction professional is recommended. The first step toward withdrawing from PCP is to seek central nervous system (cns) depressants supportive therapy.
- Discontinuing PCP suddenly can produce withdrawal symptoms.
- People on PCP have walked into traffic or jumped from buildings, for instance.
- Toxic psychosis can also develop, causing hostility, paranoia, and delusions in users.
How long do the effects last?
It is important for the person to seek help, or for their loved ones to intervene, if possible. Severe PCP poisoning can also occur if an individual, when attempting to conceal the drug from authorities, mistakenly ingests large amounts due to body stuffing or packing. Ingesting PCP with other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such as alcohol or prescription tranquilizers, can lead to coma.
A person may be imprisoned for making, distributing, possessing, how much does the average person spend on alcohol per year and using it. Many believe PCP to be one of the most dangerous drugs of abuse. A moderate amount of PCP often causes users to feel detached, distant, and estranged from their surroundings. Phencyclidine is known chemically as 1-(1-phencyclohexyl) piperidine. Physically, phencyclidine is a white crystal-like powder, dissolves in water or alcohol, and has a bitter medicinal taste.
Street Drugs: Know the Facts and Risks
However, we believe in providing accessible and accurate information to reduce the harm that can occur when using. Anyone who is concerned about substance use should speak how to flush alcohol out of your system in 24 hours to their primary care physician. A doctor can assist if any medical treatment is necessary, and they can also refer a person to available local services or support groups.
At 20 milligrams or more, you might have seizures, go into a coma, or die. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts while using PCP, call or text 988 (the national suicide hotline). Your doctor may also refer you to a live-in addiction recovery center to help you through the next steps. But if you don’t have insurance or your insurance doesn’t cover residential treatment, speak to a health advocate at a treatment facility about costs and payment plan options.
Contact your health care provider if you or someone you know is addicted to PCP and needs help stopping. Also contact your provider if you are having withdrawal symptoms that concern you. The withdrawal symptoms can be hard to manage or cope with. If you’re unable to resist angel dust, talk to your doctor about PCP treatment options such as in-patient recovery. In a hospital, the user’s vital signs will be monitored to make sure they can breathe properly, and their heart and blood pressure are normal. If their symptoms are mild, they may be discharged 1 or 2 hours after they become symptom-free.
As with any recreational drug that may be injected, the risk for HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles is a possibility. People who use PCP can get psychologically addicted to it. They are not able to control their use of it and they need PCP to get through daily life. Some drugs that have tested false positive for PCP include alprazolam, carvedilol, clonazepam, dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, and tramadol. You can also join a virtual or in-person support group and connect and share with others who’ve been through a similar experience. It’s good to reach out to a support group of close family and friends, if you can.