In its pure form, it is a white crystal like powder that dissolves quickly when immersed in water or alcohol. It has a very bitter chemical taste. However, on the street it can contain any number of contaminants that cause the color to vary from light to dark brown and even have a wide range of consistencies as well.
Phencyclidine or PCP was developed in the 1950’s to provide anesthesia intravenously. However, due to side effects such as hallucinations, delirium, and mania it was taken off the medical market. Although taken off the medical market, it is still widely used by drug abusers and responsible for a significant quantity PCP addiction cases. It creates a high and allows an abuser to hallucinate.
PCP use typically ends up in psychological dependence, craving, compulsive PCP-seeking behavior, and ultimately PCP addiction. It was initial discovered as a drug around the Sixties and quickly gained a name as a drug that would cause unhealthy reactions in its users. Some continue in over-use of hallucinogenic drug thanks to its addicting properties. Others say it’s the emotional strength, power, invulnerability and a desensitizing result on the mind as reasons for his or her continued hallucinogenic drug use.
PCP is widely used as a party drug in the club scenes. It can be found at clubs and raves throughout the United States. It has many street names including; Angel Dust, Peace Pill, Lovely, Wack, Ozone, and the list continues.
There are a wide range of symptoms associated with the use of PCP. Used moderately it can create a feeling of detachment which allows the user to disassociate. Many PCP users are brought to emergency rooms because of PCP’s bad psychological effects or because of overdoses. In a hospital they typically become violent or dangerous, and /or become terribly dangerous to themselves and folks around them. Even at mild dosage, physiological effects of hallucinogenic drug realize a small increase in respiratory rate and a noticeably pronounced rise in pulse. Respiration becomes shallow, and flushing and pronounced sweating occur. Numbness of the extremities may also occur.
Due to the highly addictive nature of PCP it is pertinent that any user abusing PCP or any other hallucinogenic seek treatment immediately. Treatment will allow for the user to detox off of the drug and then give them the tools and resources to live a healthy drug free life.
In order to prevent a relapse of drug use, it’s important to continue with treatment. By seeking aftercare services such as drug counseling and programs such as Narcotics Anonymous, the former user is better equipped to deal with the daily struggles of being in recovery.