Drug abuse and addiction are problems that continue to plague society. Addiction has been a problem for every society to date. It has become a major issue in the current Presidential race for this country. States that have severe damage as a result of addiction have questioned these Presidential candidates about their opinion and approach to handling these situations. It has grown to such dire extremes that some states have called for ‘States of Emergency’. Abuses and addiction continues to increase every year; without any signs of slowing. Prescription drug abuse continues to rise and is detected to be the cause for the steady increase in abuse and addiction. What most people do not understand is the resounding effects that drug abuse and addiction cause. These problems are not limited to the addict and their families, but rather it causes serious damage to communities, states and the country as a whole. Phencyclidine is one of the most dangerous drugs available.


Phencyclidine is more commonly known as PCP. The drug is similar to ketamine and is a dissociative anesthetic. The drug causes hallucinations, delusions, irrationality, and out of body experiences. The Drug Enforcement Agency has PCP labeled as a schedule II drug, which means that has high potential for abuse and severe dependency (psychological and physical). It is normally sold in a powder form, which ranges in color from white to dark brown. The whiter the drug is indicates the purity. The discoloration (brown) is a result of the chemicals no reacting accordingly. These unreacted chemicals are responsible for the adverse and very dangerous side effects.

This drug is known on the street as PCP or angel dust. Tobacco cigarettes and marijuana cigarettes can be dipped in a liquid containing this PCP for inhalation. This is often referred to as embalming fluid, wet or fry. It is most commonly known as the method used by the officers in the popular film Training Day and in the show The Chappelle Show. In both cases an individual was forced to smoke a marijuana cigarette that had been dipped in PCP liquid. Both individuals experienced out of body feelings, hallucinations, delusions and numbness. Individuals high on PCP have also been captured on the hit reality television show Cops. These individuals put up an incredible fight against, often several, cops. This drug is incredibly unstable and causes severe aggression, painlessness and feelings of invincibility.

Signs and Symptoms of Phencyclidine Abuse/Addiction

When an individual is high on PCP it is hard to ignore or be indifferent to because the drug is so powerful. Those abusing this drug will exhibit euphoria, reduced sensitivity to pain, apathy, invulnerability and feelings of super strength. If you or someone you love is in the presence of someone high on PCP it is imperative to you and others physical well-being to seek professional help from the proper authorities. PCP can cause violent, irrational behavior, which often leads to aggressive and erratic behaviors. Hallucinations are common for those on PCP, which is coupled with a distorted sense of time and physical being. Individuals will feel and perceive themselves and their lives differently. Perception becomes completely askew. Feelings of depression are common as the individual feels alienated and disassociated with society and reality. Confusion is immense as logic disappears. They can become irrationally scared of death or believe they are celebrities or royalty. Phencyclidine abuse and addiction can also cause suicidal thoughts and has led to several cases of suicide.

Effects of Abusing Phencyclidine

The effects of using this powerful drug vary depending on how much or what quality of the drug is ingested. PCP is normally smoked and therefore the dosage is impossible to calculate. The high the purity and lower the purity make the drug incredibly unpredictable. Managing dosage of PCP is impossible and contributes to the danger of the drug. When the drug is taken in low doses it can cause numbness in the hands and feet, as well as an overall sense of drunkenness. Moderate doses of this drug cause anesthesia, which can cause complete immobility of extremities or any part of their bodies. High doses of this drug cause convulsions, erratic behavior and even death. The drug is produced and presented in such a way that it is impossible to know how much of the active ingredient is present. PCP distorts an individual’s ability to think clearly and often other drugs are ingested along with Phencyclidine. Alcohol and benzodiazepines can cause severe respiratory depression, which can lead to coma and death. PCP is commonly linked to an increased risk in suicide.

Tolerance to Phencyclidine

As a schedule II drug PCP has high potential for abuse and dependence. As an person continues to use the drug their body adapts to the dosages, which requires them to increase their dosages. They may also turn to mixing the drugs with other chemicals/drugs to increase the side effects they desire. Mixing of drugs is never a good idea, especially when it comes to drugs as powerful and dangerous as PCP. Sustained PCP abuse will lead to severe disorders. Psychosis is commonly found in users with schizophrenia and in chronic phencyclidine users. Common side effects of continued abuse include loss of memory, loss of concentration and rejection of boundaries. Addiction will eventually lead to a complete breakdown of an individual’s life, but it is nearly guaranteed when PCP is the drug of choice.

Treatment for PCP Abuse and Addiction

Getting professional treatment for PCP abuse/addiction is necessary for those to overcome their problem. Getting treatment does not have to be as hard as it seems. There are thousands of great treatment centers across this country that can provide help and support for those looking for help. PCP treatment begins with the detox process, at which point the patient allows all remnants of the drug to leave the body. Withdrawal symptoms from PCP detox can be severe, therefore it is recommended to conduct this process in a safe controlled facility. Medication might be required to reduce the discomfort and seizures that are synonymous with PCP withdrawal. When the detox process is complete the patient will then engage in counseling and therapy sessions to address the addiction and any other underlying issues.

PCP Statistics

Latest reports show that only 1.6% of high school seniors have experimented with this drug at the high school level of the lives. High schoolers are much more likely to abuse alcohol, marijuana and prescription medications. While young adult PCP abuse is very low, PCP related emergency visits have increased 400% from between 2005 and 2011. Teenage use of the drug has been very low in the past because PCP was used as a precautionary tale for previous generations. Now there seems to be a resurgence of its abuse as ‘getting wet’(smoking cigarettes or marijuana cigarettes dipped in PCP liquid) becomes more popular.

If you or a loved one are abusing or addicted to PCP, then it is imperative to get help immediately. Anyone in direct contact with someone high on PCP should remove themselves from that situation as soon as possible. PCP is commonly related to severe physical danger from aggressive behavior. Contact the proper authorities for help without hesitation. Getting help is just a phone call away. There are plenty of hotlines that can offer any and all the information needed to get someone the help they need for addiction.