What Is PCP And Is It Dangerous?

PCP (phencyclidine) was developed for legitimate medical use. It was intended for use as an anesthestic, but it quickly became clear that it had serious side effects such as confusion, hallucinations and changes in mood. Despite the fact the medical establishment ceased use of PCP, it is still available today. However,it is now used illicitly as a recreational drug and is referred to as angel dust or wack.

Since phencyclidine was created as an anesthetic, taking PCP can make people feel numb or like they are detached from reality. This is sometimes accompanied by a hallucination, which is typically visual but which can also be auditory in nature.

The drug is usually abused by people who are seeking to achieve a high, because it can make users feel very happy and cheerful. But sometimes people find that the substance triggers the opposite effect, and they become very depressed or paranoid. Some people are also prone to becoming aggressive when they take angel dust.

The most common risk of taking PCP is injury, as users tend to lose control of their actions and undertake risky behaviors. Since the anesthetic properties cause numbness, they may also delay seeking urgent medical treatment because they do not realize how badly they are hurt.

The drug is also dangerous because it can trigger hyperthermia. In severe cases, a person will have convulsions or suffer from respiratory problems as a result. Overdoses are known to interfere with respiratory function and the drug user may stop breathing. There are a number of mortalities which can be directly attributed to PCP.

It is important to seek substance abuse treatment if you are addicted to PCP. There are both short and long term issues associated with the regular use of this type of drug.