Understanding PCP Addiction
PCP (phencyclidine) belongs to the family of hallucinogenic drugs. Although its first use was as a surgical anesthetic, it is now a recreational drug. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health states that 6.1 million people in the United States have used PCP at least once.
The Drug Enforcement Administration categorizes this as a Schedule II drug because of how easy it is to become addicted to it. PCP impacts the brain’s chemical composition, affecting dopamine receptors, serotonin receptors, and various neurotransmitters.
How quickly you feel the effects of PCP depends on the mode of ingestion, with those who choose to smoke it or inject it experiencing intoxication within five minutes. How PCP affects you can vary wildly, making it an unpredictable substance and one that can put your well-being in danger.
People who have a history of mental illness, family members with substance use disorders, or suffered traumatic experiences are more likely to develop an addiction to PCP. Women are also likelier than men to suffer from this condition.
Some of the most common symptoms of PCP addiction include:
- Confusion
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Euphoria
- Seizures
- Chills
- Muscle cramps
- Numbness
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased body temperature
- Rapid breathing
- Anxiety
- Dehydration
- Aggression
- Hiding drug use
Another common occurrence with PCP abuse is flashbacks. PCP flashbacks make you feel as though you have taken the drug even when you have not, and they can occur for days and even weeks after taking the drug.
Taking too much PCP can lead to an overdose, which can be fatal. Some of the signs of a PCP overdose include:
- Increased body temperature
- Speech problems
- Extreme agitation
- Loss of muscle control
- Severe disorientation
- Aggression
- High blood pressure
- Fast breathing
- Severe hallucinations
- Unconsciousness
- Violent and bizarre behavior
- Seizures
- Coma
If you have an addiction to this dissociative drug, it is important to reach out to a treatment center for help. At Sunshine Detox and Rehab Center, we offer addiction treatment programs that include medical supervision and behavioral therapies that can help you begin your recovery process.
Medical PCP Detox Process
All of our patients need to go through an initial detoxification process before they can receive therapy. Detoxification allows us to stabilize you so that you do not have to suffer unnecessarily through uncomfortable and even dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
There can be many PCP withdrawal symptoms when you stop using the drug on your own, and these can be very distressing. Severe withdrawal symptoms from PCP and other illicit drugs can even lead people to use again or can put their health at risk.
Turn to an addiction treatment center to get help from medical professionals. Some of the most common PCP withdrawal symptoms include:
- Muscle breakdown
- Fear
- Agitation
- Restlessness
- Sweating
- Hallucinations
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Diarrhea
- Acidosis
- High body temperature
- Hyperactive eye movements
- Seizures
- Muscle twitching
There can also be long-term PCP withdrawal symptoms, depending on how long you have had the addiction and what your usual dosage is. Some of these psychological and physical symptoms are:
- Weight loss
- Speech impairment
- Mood disorders
- Sleep problems
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Memory loss
- Impaired cognitive function
- Severe anxiety
- Intense cravings
When you turn to us at Sunshine Detox and Rehab Center, you can get medical supervision 24/7 as you go through PCP withdrawal. You will be in a supportive environment with people ready to make changes to your medications if physical withdrawal symptoms become uncomfortable.
We perform an intake assessment before the PCP detox process begins. This assessment will give us a better idea of your physical health, what your detox timeline may look like, and whether you have any mental health concerns we need to treat.
Quitting PCP is not something you want to do on your own. Although physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms are never going to be pleasant, with professional support, you can begin your recovery program correctly and safely.
Inpatient Treatment Program
For those with a PCP addiction who successfully go through the PCP withdrawal process, we offer inpatient treatment. We can help you relearn how to function without substance abuse.
Our inpatient treatment program offers medication-assisted treatment, allowing you to avoid the intense cravings that can interfere with your recovery. That way, you can focus on learning skills to maintain your recovery and developing the emotional support network you need.
Substance abuse research points to behavioral therapy as being the most effective treatment option, so we apply it during individual therapy and group therapy sessions. We also offer family therapy sessions and support groups to ensure you do not feel alone as you go through drug rehabilitation.
For those with a dual diagnosis, meaning they have other mental health concerns besides addiction, we offer dual-diagnosis treatment programs. It is crucial that you tackle all mental health concerns at the same time. Dual diagnoses can create a negative feedback loop that is difficult to overcome on your own.
At Sunshine Detox and Rehab Center, we offer personalized treatment programs that can help you quit PCP and recover from co-occurring conditions.
Get Help Through PCP Detox
You do not have to struggle through PCP abuse and addiction on your own. At our rehab center, we can help you avoid the worst symptoms of PCP withdrawal with our detox process, and our healthcare professionals can help you understand why you turn to drug abuse.
As you attend treatment, you can gain insight into your psychological dependence on the drug so that you can make lasting changes. Contact Sunshine Detox and Rehab Center right now to get access to leading PCP detox and residential rehab services in the area.
