PCP is the common abbreviation of the drug phencyclidine. Its chemical name is 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)piperidine and is known on the streets as wet or angel dust. It is a type of dissociative drug and is used as a recreational drug across the world. At one time, it was used as a form of anaesthetic, but it was soon displaced as new drugs were discovered.
Its favour amongst chronic drug abusers stems from its hallucinogenic effects. It is incredibly dangerous as an addictive drug as the impact of PCP lasts for a few hours, whereas the actual drug remains in the body for over a week. It means regular use can easily lead to additional damage.
Recreational users take PCP through ingestion, inhalation, or smoking.
Side Effects
The main side effect is hallucinations. These are desired by lots of people because of their seemingly ‘insightful’ experiences. They are not as potent as the hallucinations caused by PCP, but the duration of action makes it a highly prized substance.
Physically, the user may experience things like sweating, hot flushes, decreased sensitivity, a lack of coordination, and nausea. These pale in comparison to the mental effects where users can feel as if they are permanently drunk, invincible, and disconnected all at the same time. None of them causes any long-term damage to the body, but the danger people can find themselves in is what makes it so dangerous.
PCP Addiction Treatment
PCP treatment is about finding out what makes the drug so appealing to each patient. By finding out about each person’s experience, it is possible to develop a tailored treatment programme geared towards each individual. This enables therapists to uncover what caused the addiction, as well as the coping mechanisms that work best for each patient. Through residential treatment over a number of weeks, people begin to feel less dependent on the drug.
