What is phencyclidine hydrochloride (PCP)?

PCP is an illegal, common street drug. It has other names, including angel dust. PCP can be used in several ways: smoked, snorted, injected, or taken by mouth. A fatal dose is about 1 mg/kg in adults and less in children.

PCP can cause a feeling of being high as well as depressed. Recreational users experience numbness and an altered sense of reality and time. PCP abuse often leads to physical injury to the user or those who come in contact with him.

In an emergency, an overdose of PCP can be confused with schizophrenia because users show marked withdrawal from other people and the outside world and become totally self- absorbed.

How does PCP cause its reaction?

PCP acts on the body's biochemical systems and on brain cells to create an imbalance that causes distortions in the user's perceptions of reality.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of PCP abuse include:

• hallucinations and delusions

• a 'ready for a fight' attitude

• agitation and irritability

• disorientation

• paranoia, or feelings of suspicion and mistrust

• grandiosity, or an exaggerated belief in one's importance

• euphoria, or a marked feeling of mental well-being, especially when not justified by external reality

• thoughts of suicide

• an abnormal awareness of sounds

• nausea or vomiting

• loss of memory

• inability to speak.

How is PCP abuse diagnosed?

The doctor will order blood and urine tests and may order an electroencephalogram (EEG), which is a painless procedure for recording the electrical impulses of the brain. In this procedure, electrodes are placed on your head and attached to a device that records the electrical activity of your brain.

How is PCP abuse treated?

The first and most important step is to prevent respiratory arrest and convulsions. You will be hospitalized so that the airway to your lungs can be kept clear. PCP can be removed from your stomach by a procedure that washes out the stomach and brings up its contents.

If convulsions begin, the doctor will give you medication into your veins. You will be watched closely. Your vital signs will be monitored and restraints may be used to help prevent injuries. Sedating drugs may be given if you have hallucinations and delusions. You may be given other medication to reduce hypertension (high blood pressure) and tachycardia (abnormally fast heart rate).

Because PCP causes you to retain urine, you will be given liquids to help you to urinate and get rid of PCP in your system. If your overdose is severe, another drug may be given to speed up urination.

How long will the effects last?

The effects will last as long as there is PCP in your system and as long as you continue to use the drug.

How can I take care of myself?

Take the full course of treatment your doctor prescribes. Stop taking this drug and ALL other drugs unless your doctor prescribes a legal drug.

How can I prevent PCP abuse from occurring?

In addition to not using PCP and staying away from drug users, you can make lifestyle changes that can help you stay away from drugs, such as:

• finding new friends who don't abuse drugs or alcohol

• avoiding use of alcohol

• doing 20 minutes of exercise three times a week

• pursuing hobbies and recreation activities several times a week

• doing daily progressive relaxation exercises

• using frequent mental imaging of enjoyable life experiences

• eating balanced, nutritious meals

• getting 6 to 8 hours of rest per night

• doing diaphragmatic breathing during stressful times

• talking with friends and using other support systems

• reducing the amount of coffee you drink

• listening to music

• developing and keeping an attitude that things will work out

• asking for help at home and work when the load is too great to handle for a period

• seeking professional help for talking through anxiety and developing positive coping methods.