Hyperthermia from PCP toxicity is due to psychomotor agitation and can be successfully treated with benzodiazepines as well. Hallmark clinical findings of PCPintoxication are nystagmus, hypertension and amental status, which is often described asdissociative anesthesia. In higher doses patientsbecome unconscious and can succumb to pulmonaryaspiration and cardiovascular collapse. The mostdisturbing behavioral effects of PCP are violent,aggressive and bizarre behavior with self-mutilationtendencies. Phencyclidine may cause dependence, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms if a person stops using the drug.

What Else Is PCP Called?

In people with more body fat, effects can come and go or fluctuate over a few days to months. If PCP is smoked, snorted, or injected, you typically begin to feel the effects within 2 to 5 minutes. Healthline does not endorse the use of any illegal substances, and we recognize abstaining from them is always the safest approach. However, we believe in providing accessible alcohol and anxiety and accurate information to reduce the harm that can occur when using. Some people—intent on purchasing ecstasy or MDMA—are deceived and given pills that combine PCP and other substances, including ketamine, caffeine, and methamphetamine. Swallowing the drug slows the absorption and results in the onset of effects being delayed until about 30 – 60 minutes.

How do you treat a PCP addiction?

1. If a person has used high doses of phencyclidine, doctors may help calm and sedate them.
2. The effects of PCP include causing users to feel disconnected from reality, making them act erratically, and increasing their risk of developing psychotic symptoms.
3. Some people combine it with other drugs or food before consuming it.
4. But if you don’t have insurance or your insurance doesn’t cover it, speak to a health advocate at a  treatment facility about costs and payment plan options.
5. PCP is highly addictive, and PCP users can quickly develop a tolerance.
6. Like other hallucinogens, PCP may increase the risk of hallucinogen persisting perception disorder.

So if you use, buy, or sell the drug, you might face fines and jail time. In some cases, it’s possible for PCP to cause over-the-top psychological effects that make you feel stronger than you are and engage in violent behavior. This could cause you to physically harm yourself or others. Phencyclidine (PCP) is a mind-altering drug that may lead to hallucinations (a profound distortion in a person’s perception of reality). It is considered a dissociative drug, leading to a distortion of sights, colors, sounds, self, and one’s environment. PCP was developed in the 1950s as an intravenous anesthetic, but due to the serious neurotoxic side effects, its development for human medical use was discontinued.

Treatment for PCP overdose: First aid and more

PCP also disrupts glutamate, which modulates pain, memory, and emotions. If someone you know has attempted suicide, call 911 or the local emergency number right away. DO NOT leave the person alone, even after you have called for help. Treatment programs use behavior change techniques through counseling (talk therapy). The aim is to help you understand your behaviors and why you use PCP.

Seeking help from healthcare professionals and substance use treatment providers may help a person safely withdraw from phencyclidine and other substances. 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. Anyone who shows signs or symptoms of a drug overdose requires emergency medical treatment to help prevent serious and potentially life threatening complications.

Helping Those on the Road to Recovery from PCP Use and Substance Use

When PCP interacts with other drugs, especially depressants, it can lead to coma or respiratory distress. Chronic use and higher doses of phencyclidine may increase the risk of severe symptoms and life threatening complications. These include violent behavior, overdose, seizures, coma, and sudden death. PCP (phencyclidine)—also alcohol and seizures can alcohol or withdrawal trigger a seizure known as angel dust, ozone, supergrass, and rocket fuel—is a synthetic hallucinogenic drug known for its dissociative (often negative) psychological effects. This means it acts on your brain (central nervous system) and changes your mood, behavior, and how you relate to the world around you.

It is now a Schedule II controlled substance in the U.S., because it carries a high potential for abuse and may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. A person may be imprisoned for making, distributing, possessing, and using it. The psychiatric effects vary widely, but it is considered dangerous, and its use has been linked to violent and aggressive actions, psychosis, and a risk of accidental death.

In cases of mild phencyclidine toxicity, a person may recover within 6–12 hours. If a person has used high doses of phencyclidine, doctors may help calm and sedate them. They ensure their airway is protected and perform a psychiatric evaluation.

Individuals experiencing issues with substance use may reach out to a healthcare professional for guidance and resources. Effects can depend on various drug overdose: definition risks signs and more factors, such as the dose, frequency of use, and the form of phencyclidine. Scientists initially developed phencyclidine as an anesthetic.

Doctors advise using caution before opting to obtain compounded GLP-1 drugs. To diagnose a PCP addiction, medical professionals use a specific set of criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). The safest place to detox from PCP is in a medical inpatient environment. Oral ingestion (swallowing) lasts much longer because the drug is slowly processed through the digestive system before being released into the body.

Most PCP sold in the United States comes as a white or colored powder or liquid and is added to leafy substances (such as tobacco or marijuana) and smoked. PCP also can be sold in pill, tablet, or capsule form to be swallowed. In some cases, PCP users snort the drug or mix it with a liquid and inject it with a syringe. A person who witnesses a drug overdose can perform first aid while waiting for the emergency services to arrive. Doing so may save the person’s life and help increase their chance of a full recovery. Help and support are available for phencyclidine use disorder.

The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) explains that an overdose is always a medical emergency. Finally, it discusses what to expect at the hospital, the outlook for those who experience a PCP overdose, and how to seek help for substance use issues. Visit our dedicated hub for more research-backed information and resources on mental health and well-being. Symptoms of phencyclidine intoxication may last from several hours to as long as 48 hours.

But most PCP-related deaths result from dangerous behavior caused by delusions and other psychological effects. Like many illicit substances, they are distributed in doses that are difficult to determine and PCP is frequently mixed with other intoxicating substances. The various forms can be swallowed, snorted, or smoked, either alone or in combination with other drugs like tobacco, marijuana, and MDMA. Many people use the drug to feel high and to hallucinate. Like other dissociative drugs, PCP can make people feel disconnected from the body. Treatment for PCP addiction typically begins with the recognition that there is a problem.

However, it was discontinued in 1967 and limited to veterinary use due to its adverse side effects. Physiologic dependency becomes an issue with extended PCP use. With excessive use over an extended period of time, the negative effects of PCP become more troublesome, and they may persist for periods even when the drug isn’t actively being taken. The behavior of a person using PCP can be dangerous to themselves and to others.

The risk of drug addiction is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Some people can develop tolerance and dependency toPCP without becoming addicted. Repeated use of PCP can lead to dependency and PCP addiction.