You might have heard of the drug phencyclidine (PCP), particularly by its most common street name, angel dust.
But what is angel dust, what does it do, and what are the risks associated with it?
While angel dust was quite notorious in the 1970s and 1980s, with publications in the US claiming there was a PCP epidemic in the streets, it has always been less prevalent than other drugs such as cocaine and heroin.
Nowadays it is used even less and is discussed much less than many other substances. Angel dust is still in circulation though, and it can be very dangerous, so it pays to know about the effects and risks associated with this potent dissociative anaesthetic.
What Is Angel Dust (PCP)?
So what is angel dust? In short, it is the most commonly used slang name for a drug called phencyclidine. It is also known as PCP, which derives from the drug’s organic name phenylcyclohexyl piperidine.
Whatever you call it, angel dust is a synthetic drug, meaning it is made in a lab and does not occur naturally. It was first used in the 1950s as an intravenous anaesthetic, but its use was soon discontinued as it was found to cause patients to become agitated, delusional and irrational.
It was made illegal in the US in the 1970s, and it is a Class A drug in the UK. This is the most serious classification of illicit substances, and possession of a Class A drug can be punishable by up to 7 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. Supply and production of a Class A drug like angel dust has a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Although it is rare in the UK, PCP is still sometimes used as a recreational drug. It comes in liquid, crystal, pill or powder form and can be smoked in a cigarette, snorted, swallowed or injected.
It can have a variety of effects, and use of the drug carries several potential risks.
Effects of PCP on the Body and Mind
PCP is a dissociative anaesthetic and painkiller. It affects the central nervous system and can cause numbness and reduce pain. The dissociative effect can make users feel dreamlike or detached from themselves. These properties are why PCP was once used medically as an anaesthetic, but the drug also has numerous other effects.
PCP has a number of behavioural and neurochemical effects, including boosting the release of the ‘feelgood’ chemicals dopamine and serotonin. This can lead to feelings of euphoria, which is one of the reasons why angel dust has historically been used recreationally. It can also increase levels of norepinephrine, which helps you keep alert and can be a natural response to stress. Too much norepinephrine can lock you into ‘fight or flight mode’ though, increasing stress and anxiety levels.
Angel dust or PCP also works as a hallucinogen. Alongside its dissociative effects, it can further change the user’s perception of reality. This can include changing their experience of time and can also involve sensory hallucinations – making you see or hear things that are not there.
The effects of angel dust on the body can include a severe loss of muscular coordination and balance. The user may experience slurred speech and numbness. It can also lead to raised temperatures and heart rates, often with excessive sweating.
Unlike some other substances, the physical and mental effects of angel dust can be very unpredictable. They can vary widely between users and even for the same individual when they use the drug on different occasions.
Risks of Angel Dust Use
Angel dust can be a very harmful substance, which is why it is classified as a Class A drug in the UK. The sedative effects can lead to an increased risk of accidents and unsafe behaviours, as you may lose coordination and control.
Some users are known to have experienced convulsions or entered a coma. Other symptoms include hypoxia (a dangerous lack of oxygen), hyperthermia (raised temperature), raised blood pressure, depressed breathing and irregular heartbeat. PCP toxicity, or overdose, can prove fatal.
There are also many potential risks associated with the psychological effects of angel dust. The dissociative and hallucinatory effects can cause erratic behaviour. This may include violent behaviour, which can be exacerbated by the fact that the user may not feel any pain. Some users have been known to self-harm or attempt suicide.
PCP use has also been linked to psychological effects like extreme anxiety and serious psychiatric issues, including psychosis. Long-term use has been associated with memory loss, cognitive issues, and problems with talking clearly, such as slurring words or stuttering.
Signs of PCP Addiction
PCP or angel dust can also be highly addictive. It does not tend to give rise to a physical dependency like opioids or alcohol but can lead to severe psychological addiction in much the same way as substances like cocaine or ketamine – another dissociative anaesthetic drug – can.
Users can also quickly build up a physical tolerance to angel dust, meaning they need to use more and more for the same effect. This can lead to a vicious circle of increasing use and negative effects.
Signs of addiction can vary but could include:
- Using the drug more frequently or in larger doses
- An inability to cut down and quit
- Using angel dust despite negative consequences
- Becoming fixated, getting anxious about scoring the drug
- Neglecting other activities and responsibilities
- Mental and physical health issues
- Financial issues related to the drug
- Problems at work/school including increased absences
- Relationship issues related to drug use
Getting Treatment for PCP Use
PCP addiction can be a serious issue and one that is very difficult to break free from without expert help and support. This could include supervised detox, a range of evidence-backed therapies or a complete and holistic rehab programme designed to address every aspect of addiction.
Contact Cassiobury Court today to discuss in confidence any worries about PCP use and the treatment options available.
