Substance use disorder can negatively impact anyone’s health and well-being. With the various substances out there, people may find themselves developing dependencies on substances that are difficult to break. One of the addictive substances that people seek treatment for is phencyclidine (PCP).
PCP is a dissociative substance with highly addictive properties. Finding treatment for angel dust use is crucial for an individual’s recovery. Gateway Foundation covers how a substance use disorder with PCP affects people and how you can find the best treatment for angel dust use.
PCP is a highly addictive substance with numerous street names, including angel dust, peace pill, elephant tranquilizer, embalming fluid, dust, rocket fuel and more. Angel dust was originally used as an anesthetic by doctors and as a tranquilizer for animals. Doctors discontinued anesthetic use first because patients developed psychosis and other negative symptoms. Eventually, veterinarians stopped using it on animals, and now the substance is labeled as a Schedule II substance in the United States. Schedule II drugs are illegal to possess and are seldomly prescribed by medical professionals.
This dissociative substance is not as popular as other substances, but it’s still a problem for those suffering from substance use disorder. People who use the substance experience a range of symptoms that cause them to continue regular use, including hallucinations that alter colors, sounds, sights and other environmental aspects.
The purest form of PCP is a crystalline powder that can easily dissolve in liquids like water or alcohol. Since angel dust is an illicit substance distributed on the streets, suppliers can contaminate it with other items that vary in color and consistency. PCP can also be a tablet, capsule or in liquid form.
The use of PCP in the United States continued steadily after the decline in the 1980s. The method of use depends on the form PCP is in. People using powdered angel dust will snort it, in liquid form they can inject it or drink it, and in capsule or tablet form they can swallow it. PCP can also be contaminated with other substances like tobacco or cannabis and people can smoke the substance. Some dip joints or cigarettes into a liquid solution of PCP.
Some common signs that a person is using angel dust include instances of psychosis or severe alterations in a person’s physical health or behavior. People should know how to notice this behavior in themselves or in their loved ones if they’re concerned about PCP use.
The signs and symptoms of PCP or angel dust use can help determine how severe a person’s substance use disorder is. Understanding their addiction may convince someone to seek out addiction treatment facilities like Gateway Foundation. Signs and symptoms of PCP use include:
Substance use disorder can affect people from various backgrounds, genders, religions or ages. There is not one thing that causes addiction — various factors may contribute to a person’s risk of developing substance use disorder. These factors are mostly out of a person’s control and are not a guarantee for substance use disorder.
A person’s genetics can play a significant role in their likelihood of developing substance use disorder. The genetic influence of substance use can explain why some individuals can use substances and not develop an addiction while others can easily become dependent on PCP.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a person’s likelihood of having a substance use disorder can increase by half because of genetics. If a person has a close relative like a parent or grandparent that currently or previously struggled with substance use disorder, they may want to take precautions around substance use or other addictive activities because of their genetics.
Numerous environmental factors can increase a person’s chances of developing an addiction to PCP.
The first environmental factor that influences the risk of addiction is parental involvement. Teenagers or young children whose parents or guardians are not involved in their upbringing may turn to substances like PCP to handle their feelings toward their parental figures.
Another environmental factor is peer pressure. The social group a person hangs around can influence their decisions on substances like angel dust. It’s important to consider the actions of people and the person’s ability to handle making boundaries for themselves when it comes to substance use.
A common diagnosis for individuals with substance use disorder is co-occurring disorders or the presence of addiction and a mental health condition. The process of co-occurring disorders can swap depending on the individual. Some people will have substance use disorder before a mental illness or vice versa.
Certain mental health conditions — like generalized anxiety disorder or depression — can increase the risk of becoming addicted to angel dust. People may turn to this substance to help cope with symptoms. Over time, self-medicating can make the symptoms of substance use worse and strengthen the dependence a person has on PCP.
The substance a person chooses to use can determine their likelihood of addiction. PCP has an array of powerful symptoms that can draw people in and cause them to regularly use the substance. As a Schedule II drug, it has a high potential for addiction.
Angel dust is popular in the club scene, so individuals who frequent locations like clubs or parties may have more exposure to PCP and be more likely to use the drug. PCP can also have serious withdrawal symptoms, which can make people take higher doses of the drug to experience the symptoms and prevent withdrawal.
The age a person begins to use a substance can impact their risk of developing substance use disorder. Early use of PCP can impact brain development and other areas of a person’s wellbeing that can impact the way their brain processes feelings of angel dust.
The way a person uses PCP can impact their chances of being addicted to the substance. Smoking or injecting the substance commonly has stronger impacts on the body, which can intensity the addictive properties of PCP.
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The health effects of PCP are a top reason for seeking treatment. Using angel dust can lead to adverse health effects that can impact a person in the short and long term. These angel dust drug effects can vary between people who use PCP and the level of dosage.
Lower levels of PCP can introduce short-term effects and prolonged use may bring long-term health effects. Some long-term effects can be permanent, which is one of the many reasons why it’s important to seek treatment as quickly as possible to prevent serious damage from angel dust.
People who try PCP for the first time may not intend to continue using the substance regularly, but the symptoms of the dissociative drug can affect a person’s mind and ability to make decisions. The constant battle of trying to achieve the “high” feeling from PCP can swiftly spiral into substance use disorder. The short-term effects from this substance are the beginning of the possible negative health impacts.
The type of short-term effects a person experiences or the severity of the effects depend on the dose of PCP they take or the method of use. The effects may last for the duration of the person’s “high” or extended past the timeframe.
Some of PCP’s short-term health effects include:
PCP can also cause an individual to have poor judgment skills, believe they have super strength and have the inability to not feel pain, which is a dangerous combination that can lead to serious injuries.
It’s best to seek out treatment as quickly as possible to prevent these short-term health effects from causing too much harm. The treatment programs at Gateway Foundation for PCP can help handle these effects and get a person’s life back on track.
Gateway Foundation offers customized, evidence-based recovery plans to support your recovery and ongoing healing.
877.381.6538Repeat exposure to PCP can lead to multiple long-term health effects. Over time, individuals will start to buildup a tolerance for PCP and their normal dose won’t provide the symptoms their brain craves. A person may start to take higher doses to feel those same symptoms they once had and prevent withdrawal symptoms. These higher doses can lead to more damaging and long-term health effects that might be irreversible.
Finding treatment programs for PCP is crucial when a person starts to notice the severe health problems they’re facing because of PCP use. Even when these troubling health effects aren’t enough to convince a person to seek treatment, hopefully, a loved one notices and convinces them to find a treatment facility.
PCP use can bring up various health effects that impact the heart. Some of the ways that these short-term effects can lead to long-term heart health problems include:
All of these effects continuing over time may lead to heart disease or other serious heart health impacts that can carry on throughout the person’s life.
Significant lung damage from PCP comes from smoking the substance along with others like marijuana or tobacco. Smoking can cause various issues with the respiratory system, so it’s essential to find treatment and combat any of these long-term effects on the lungs:
Individuals who struggle with a PCP addiction can experience changes in the brains chemistry, which can trigger certain issues like memory problems, depression, trouble concentrating and poor judgment. Numerous health problems can continue even after an individual stops PCP use. The dissociative substance can make significant changes to the mind that will cause lasting mental health problems.
Some of the things that PCP can do to the brain include:
PCP use during pregnancy is harmful to the unborn child. This substance can cause significant changes to the development process of the unborn child when it is introduced to the womb. The effects that this drug can make include:
PCP can cause an individual to experience other serious long-term health effects that can be permanent, including:
Substance use disorder is a condition that impacts many individuals across the country. Struggling with PCP use, other drugs or alcohol is a tough battle to conquer without the right help and resources. It’s important to seek help when struggling with PCP angel dust addiction, but how can people know when it’s the right time for treatment?
Regardless of how severe a person’s substance use disorder is, any time is the right time for treatment. The sooner a person participates in a treatment program, the better their recovery process can be. There are some signs to look out for when determining whether you or a loved one should sign up for a PCP treatment program.
People will start with small doses of PCP at first, but as they continue using, they’ll need a higher dose to feel the same symptoms they did previously. This is because of the tolerance a person builds to the drug. When an individual takes dangerously high doses to experience the same symptoms, it’s time to seek treatment.
Withdrawal symptoms can be difficult to experience or potentially life-threatening depending on the problem’s severity. The symptoms of PCP withdrawal can include:
If a person is trying to stop PCP use, but the withdrawal symptoms are too challenging to handle on their own, treatment can help them get through this process.
Angel dust use can cause damage to a person’s physical and mental health, which takes a significant toll on the body. From heart issues to declining mental health, it’s crucial to get treatment before experiencing severe health problems.
A person’s performance at work or school can suffer from substance use. Spending too much time obtaining PCP and using the substance can hinder a person’s ability to meet deadlines at work or complete school work on time. If an individual notices a decline in their grades or they are in danger of losing their job, treatment is the best option.
Substance use can play a big role in the decline of relationships with loved ones. People using PCP may distance themselves from their friends and family, hide their drug use problems from them or unintentionally push loved ones away because of their behavior. Finding help for PCP use is an effective way to mend broken relationships because of substance use.
PCP use can start controlling a person’s life and their actions. With intense withdrawal symptoms and cravings, stopping the use of the substance can feel impossible. Treatment programs can guide people through the recovery process and encourage them along the way to make sobriety attainable.
Treatment plans for PCP use must be individualized based on a person’s needs. Not every treatment will be beneficial for every person. That’s why Gateway Foundation offers numerous treatment services to help individuals through their recovery.
Finding the right therapy options and support programs can make a big difference in a person’s progress through recovery. Learning about the types of programs and services Gateway offers can help make the treatment process run smoother.
The different types of treatment that Gateway offers include:
Receiving treatment for PCP use looks different for every patient. The different levels of care that Gateways offers can help patients work through their PCP addiction in a way that works best with their schedule or the severity of their substance use disorder.
The various levels of care that create the process for treating PCP addiction include:
Quitting angel dust and other drugs can be a difficult process. The withdrawal management treatment at Gateway Foundation can help patients safely process withdrawal symptoms. We provide patients with medical staff that can help handle serious withdrawal symptoms and encourage patients.
Certain patients require more care and structure during their recovery process. The residential treatment program at Gateway can provide patients with around-the-clock care so they have a safe and encouraging environment to go through recovery.
For patients who need a recovery plan that works with their schedule but is also structured enough to keep them safe during the process, partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are a great option. PHP treatments are for individuals who need extensive treatment for substance use disorder but have a strong support system and home. The schedule for partial hospitalization is similar to work or school schedules.
People who need treatment for their substance use disorder but can’t miss out on work, school or other obligations can participate in outpatient treatment. People can schedule treatment appointments at any time during the morning, afternoon or nighttime to fit with their schedules.
Care after treatment is beneficial for remaining sober and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If entering into the real world after treatment seems like too much, using a sober living home is a great step for patients to ease their way back to normal.
Participating in a PCP addiction treatment program can help people get back to a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. Deciding to move forward with angel dust addiction treatment will provide numerous benefits for patients, including:
Do you still have questions about substance use disorder and angel dust? Check out these commonly asked questions for more help.
Any individual can be at risk for substance use disorder, but factors like genetics, environment and drug choice contribute to their risk.
A medical professional will assess a patient’s overall health and determine whether they have substance use disorder and the severity of the condition.
PCP changes the chemistry of the brain. It is addictive because of the hallucinations, feeling of invincibility and other symptoms.
If you’re ready to make a change in your life or a loved one’s life, Gateway Foundation is here to help. With 16 locations in Illinois, we’re prepared to help individuals recover from PCP use and get their lives back on track. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and services for substance use.
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