Signs of PCP Addiction

Originally developed for use as a type of anesthesia for surgery but discontinued in 1965, phencyclidine or PCP is a Schedule II hallucinogenic drug that is strictly regulated in the United States. Sold as tablets, powder, or liquid, PCP may be snorted, swallowed, or smoked; depending on the method of administration, the effects of PCP may persist for four to six hours. In some cases, an addict may lace a cigarette or marijuana joint with liquid PCP, but users may utilize any leafy plant including oregano, parsley, or mint. According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, an estimated 6 million Americans over age 12 have, at some point in their lives, tried PCP. The Monitoring the Future Survey from 2010 indicated that about 1% of high school seniors had used PCP during the previous year. Signs and symptoms of a PCP addiction are described in more detail below.

• Weight loss – PCP addicts often have a notable decrease in appetite. The corollary is true for PCP addicts who run out of the drug and begin withdrawal; in other words, when all of the PCP has been used, the addict may begin eating much more than they previously had.
• Detachment – Users commonly report feeling separate from their environments, which is why PCP is also sometimes referred to as a dissociative drug.
• Paranoia and hallucinations - Someone who has recently taken PCP may describe hallucinations or behave in a paranoid manor. Hallucinations may also be described by the user as auditory or visual distortions. Some have compared the behavior of an addict on PCP to that of people with schizophrenia.
• Cognitive problems - In both the short and long term, a PCP addict may seem to have impairments in speech and thought; they may have difficulty focusing their attention on a single task or conversation. Additionally, PCP addicts have reported that prolonged use has caused memory loss.
• Mood changes or disorders – People who use PCP – both after a single use and after an extended period of use – may exhibit mood changes including depression, extreme anxiety, and mood disorders.
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts – Perhaps because of the intense, often frightening hallucinations and other psychological effects of PCP, a large number of PCP addicts have had both successful and unsuccessful suicide attempts.
• Violent behavior – A person who uses or abuses PCP may be violent and/or threaten others, even people whom they know and love.
• Numb muscles – If the person tells you that they are feeling a numb sensation in their hands, feet, fingers, and toes – you could suspect PCP.
• Mixing substances
• Shallow yet rapid breathing
• Profuse sweating and flushed cheeks
• Feelings of invincibility – A PCP addict may engage in any number of risky behaviors without concern for the possible consequences.

Discovering that someone you love is an addict is unsettling to say the least. But before you can tackle what may seem like an overwhelming task - that is, helping them overcome it - you should first equip yourself with knowledge about addiction and a clear plan that will likely include an intervention as well as either an outpatient or residential rehab.