The Dangers of PCP Use
PCP. We learn about it in health class or D.A.R.E., but how much do you really know about it? Phencyclidine (PCP) was created in the 1950’s as an anesthetic and pain reliever. But the hallucinations and erratic behavior it induces took it out of regulation and replaced it with Ketamine. It is a originally a white powder that is either made into a pill, snorted, heated for injection, or sprayed into a dry leafy substance like oregano or marijuana; a cigarette can be dipped into a melted liquid version of the powder.
In addition to a detachment of emotions and surroundings, the synthetic drug gives the person who smokes, injects, or snorts it the feeling of ultimate invincibility and pain relief. This is especially dangerous when coupled with the aggressive and delusional behavior that results from taking the drug. If ingested before and altercation, violent behavior may ensue. The inability to feel pain often leads to dangerous and reckless physicality that may harm the taker of the drug as well as everyone around them.
The psychological effects of PCP are all over the map. Including psychosis, depression, and anxiety, the drug is known to alter the levels of dopamine, the chemical that makes you feel happy, in the brain. Manic depressive behavior and schizophrenia may be the result of PCP in some users. The range of mood and emotional disorders that are side effect of the drug are insurmountable, while the physical risks are just as grave as the mental ones.
In addition to the frightful and violent behavior, PCP has loads of other consequences. Though the immediate effects are slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, poor coordination, and a change in breathing, the long term effects include problems with the heart and risk of self-mutilation and suicide.
PCP use is indeed low. In fact, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that PCP use went down from 123,000 users in 2002 to 45,000 in 2009, more than half of the population decreased within seven years. The lack of prevalence a drug has within culture leads to lack of education. Even though PCP use is a fraction of the American drug problem, esoteric drugs should be talked about to avoid a future ignorant generation that dives head first into PCP use.
The numbing effects of the substance can cause commonality and dependence on the drug as well as full-fledged addiction. Its niche corner within drug use will give its user additional obstacles in the recovery process due to less rehabilitation facilities and recovery centers knowing how to go about treating it.
But with all highly addictive narcotics, a detox plan at a highly trained facility followed by either residential inpatient or intensive outpatient treatment. Battling addiction is always difficult, but always possible. With the help of doctors, therapists, and family, your PCP addiction can become a thing of the past. If you struggle with PCP addiction, please call Intervention drug rehab centers as soon as you can.
