What was pcp first developed to be

Users snort PCP powder, swallow tablets and capsules, or smoke the drug by applying it in powder form to a leafy substance such as marijuana, mint, parsley, or oregano. In addition, users increasingly are dipping marijuana or tobacco cigarettes in liquid PCP and smoking them.

Individuals of all ages use PCP. The survey also revealed that many teenagers and young adults use PCP, individuals aged 12 to 17 and , individuals aged 18 to 25 used the drug at least once. PCP use among high school students is a particular concern. More than 3 percent of high school seniors in the United States used the drug at least once in their lifetime, and more than 1 percent used the drug in the past year, according to the University of Michigan's Monitoring the Future Survey.

PCP is an addictive drug; its use often results in psychological dependence, craving, and compulsive behavior. PCP produces unpleasant psychological effects, and users often become violent or suicidal. PCP poses particular risks for young people. Even moderate use of the drug can negatively affect the hormones associated with normal growth and development.

PCP use also can impede the learning process in teenagers. High doses of PCP can cause seizures, coma, and even death often as a consequence of accidental injury or suicide while under the drug's effects. At high doses, PCP's effects may resemble the symptoms associated with schizophrenia, including delusions and paranoia.

People who suddenly stop using PCP can experience physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms, which are not life-threatening but may require the attention of a trained medical professional. For people with a history of chronic, long-term use, withdrawal symptoms include flashbacks, hallucinations, memory loss, difficulties with speech and thinking, weight loss, depression, and other mood disorders that can persist for up to a year after quitting the drug.

People who are experiencing a " bad trip " while on PCP are usually placed in a quiet area or room with little sensory stimulation. Sometimes the person is given benzodiazepines to control seizures or extremely agitated behavior. While there is no known treatment for PCP addiction specifically, residential treatment and proven therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy CBT can help people better understand their addiction and any co-occurring mental illnesses.

Under the right medical guidance, it is possible to recover from a PCP addiction and learn how to avoid triggers, better care for the body and mind, and build a community of support. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.

Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Tex Heart Inst J. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Updated April Bey T, Patel A. Phencyclidine intoxication and adverse effects: A clinical and pharmacological review of an illicit drug.

Cal J Emerg Med. Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs Research Report. Updated February Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. PCP Phencyclidine. Phencyclidine overdose. Updated June 2, American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

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Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Common Side Effects. At the beginning of a PCP trip, users report feeling as if they are outside of their body. They have a distorted image of themselves and their surroundings. As the trip progresses, they begin to hallucinate, become confused and lose track of time and space.

During this time, some users may become aggressive and violent while others may withdraw and have difficulty communicating. In the final stages, users may become depressed, irritable and alienated from their surroundings. More PCP users have died from accidents caused by the anesthetic qualities and the strange behavior associated with this drug than from the actual chemical effects of the drug. Because PCP is an anesthetic, it deadens feelings in the extremities, making it almost impossible for users to feel any pain.

Cuts, burns, bruises and broken bones go undetected until the drug has worn off. Therefore, users could die in a fire because PCP has made them insensitive to the burning. Or, they may bleed to death - never realizing they were even cut.

There have been reports of PCP users falling off of roofs and out of windows because of the intoxicating effects - or users drowning because they were so disoriented that they did not know which way was up.

Because PCP can produce violent behavior, users have been known to assault others or injure themselves-sometimes resulting in murder or suicide.

Prolonged users of PCP regularly experience disturbances in judgement, memory, concentration and perception even after they have stopped using the drug. They report speech problems as well as hearing voices and sounds that don't exist. Chronic users may have flashbacks experiencing a drug's effects without taking the drug and are subject to recurring bouts of anxiety and depression.

Some past users have also exhibited outbreaks of violent behavior and PCP-induced psychoses a disturbance of the user's thought processes.