PHENCYCLIDINE (PCP)
What is it?
Phencyclidine or PCP is an illegally produced hallucinogen that
began as a surgical anesthetic in the 1950’s but was removed from
the market in 1965 because patients suffered hallucinations and
delirium while recuperating. PCP is also used as a veterinary drug
and is sometimes diverted from that use as a human recreational
drug. PCP is a “disassociate” drug because it distorts perceptions
of sight and sound and produces a feeling of detachment from a
person’s surroundings and self. It is also a sedative-hypnotic. The
drug is a white crystalline powder that is soluble in water or
alcohol. When contaminated, it can appear tan to yellow-brown.
Concentrations of the drug vary due to difficulty of street
preparation and other toxic chemicals can be present.
Slang Terms:
Angel dust, wack, ozone, rocket fuel, hog, fry, formaldehyde, amp,
wet, elephant, tranq, TicTac
and embalming fluid. Crystal super grass refers to PCP mixed with
marijuana.
How is it used?
Lighter doses of up to 10 mg are usually smoked, snorted nasally or
injected, while larger does are usually taken orally. PCP can also
be added to eye drops and is often used with alcohol or with other
drugs, including marijuana, crack cocaine or cocaine.
Signs of usage:
Speech is often garbled, sparse, or disjointed, eyes flick up and
down, and users have trouble moving around and walking normally.
They also have trouble with eye-hand coordination and may drool,
sweat profusely, and appear flushed. Under the influence of PCP
people can become very combative. They drive erratically and are
likely to have an accident. With prolonged use, weight loss and
depression can occur. High doses cause schizophrenia–like symptoms
such as delusions, or conversely, a catatonic state in which the
user’s eyes are glassy and he is conscious but doesn’t react.
Effects of usage:
The psychological effects of PCP use can be either exhilarating or
frightening and always dangerous, so many first time users won’t
use it again. However, with a high, continued drug use becomes
addictive. Addictive highs of PCP include a perception of great
physical strength, being invulnerable and impervious to pain, as
well as experiencing hallucinations, which are sought out by some
users.
How long do the effects last?
PCP’s effects develop within about an hour, depending on the how
the drug is taken, and can last up to eight hours, with gradually
diminishing effects over a 4 to 6 hour period. Slowed memory and
physical reaction time can last up to 14 hours.
Effects of withdrawal:
Long after a continual user has taken PCP, there can be psychotic
episodes, memory loss and loss of muscle coordination. Even with
one use, the memory of being temporarily out of control of one’s
muscles and the sensation of hallucinations can be frightening.
Flashbacks often occur.
Adverse reactions:
PCP is an extremely dangerous drug, and is unique among
hallucinogenic drugs in that it can result in a fatal overdose,
usually resulting in cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest or stroke.
Seizures and coma can also result from overdose. Users may become
destructive to themselves and others, and become hysterical or even
suicidal. Use of PCP can also result in dizziness, blurred vision,
drowsiness, numbness of feet and hands, catatonic state, and more
extreme reactions such as schizophrenia-like hallucinations and
paranoia.
Effects of prolonged usage:
Memory loss and difficulties with speech and thinking, depression,
weight loss and liver function abnormalities may occur after
prolonged use. Psychotic effects that mimic schizophrenia can
actually last up to a month or longer, and flashbacks of a negative
trip can occur throughout life.
Usage by youth:
Annual use of PCP was reported as 1.3 % of seniors. Specific use of
PCP by younger students is unavailable. The National Survey on Drug
Use and Health reported that while use among those aged 18 to 25
declined, use among 12 to 13 year olds was up significantly in
2004, from 0.1 % in 2003 to 0.3 %.
Recent Developments:
Hospital emergency room admissions for youth using PCP have
increased steadily in the past few years. Some of this may be due
to the fact that youth are increasingly using PCP and
PCP/formaldehyde/marijuana mixtures.
*Information provided by Dr. Barbara
A. Krantz, Chief Medical Officer at the Hanley Center
*First Check Diagnostics Corp. is offering these resources for
informational purposes only, and the Hanley Center is no way
affiliated with any of the entities that provide the
resources.