Introduction
People can abuse different types of drugs/substances. Phencyclidine (PCP), a dissociative drug produced synthetically, is one of such substances. This paper presents information given to patients or clients about their use of PCP. It gives them detailed information about why they are experiencing certain symptoms, including what they will experience if they continue to abuse the substance in the future.
Description of PCP
Patients need to know that PCP is no longer used for anesthetics to human beings. It is classified in Schedule II of controlled drugs in the US. The drug was first synthesized in 1926 and traded under the name Serny. In 1950s, it was deployed in general anesthetics in people. It was then adapted for use in veterinary as tranquillizer (National Drug Intelligence Center, 2001).
However, in 1965, evidence-based research indicated that people experienced hallucination, nervousness, and extreme disturbance, as they recovered from its implications (Center for Substance Abuse Research, 2015). Indeed, its use in veterinary has been terminated, despite its continued manufacturing in small proportions for research. Nevertheless, people can still access it. Consequently, they can abuse it, and hence the implications on their health.
Information given to the Patients
Early health implications of abuse of PCP manifest in the form of various symptoms on patients or a person who abuse the drug. People may also consume PCP without their knowledge in situations where they buy ecstasy drugs that contain it (National Drug Intelligence Center, 2001). Center for Substance Abuse Research (2015) reveals, “PCP has been sold under the guise of a number of other drugs, including THC, methamphetamine, mescaline, and LSD” (p.1). The drug can be smoked, infused, consumed through the mouth, or sniffed. Its effects, which are felt between 2-60 minutes, last between 4 to 24 hours, depending on the method of taking it.
The drug causes interruption of the neurotransmitter glutamate. The euphoria caused by PCP is due to its capacity to influence neurotransmitter dopamine’s actions. The use of PCP has other effects such as nervousness, challenges in judgment and attentiveness, and sensory deformation, including hearing and visual delusion and failure to sense space and time in an appropriate way (Center for Substance Abuse Research, 2015).
People who use the drug feel weightless due to the deformation of their capacity to sense their body. They feel dissociated with their environments since they see things in their unreality. PCP is also responsible for drowsiness and relaxation upon consuming it. Other symptoms are hopelessness, perplexity accompanied by bewilderment, aggression, fear and panicking over the awaiting death, and disturbance and repeated suspicious thoughts (Center for Substance Abuse Research, 2015).
Although PCP receives no scholarly support for its capacity to cause addiction due to its continued use, patients will experience additional symptoms if they continue to use/abuse the substance in the future. They include weak memory, flashbacks resembling those associated with chronic cases of LSD abuse, communication problems and severe depression, and/ or trauma (Center for Substance Abuse Research, 2015). People who abuse PCP in the long term withdraw from social groups to live in isolation. Continued use also causes toxic psychosis manifested in the form acoustic illusion, obsession, and expression of hostile behavior accompanied by hostility. They also suffer from speech articulation and stuttering.
Conclusion
Drug abuse may cause addiction. However, there is no evidence of addiction in case of PCP. It is taken through the mouth via insertion, snorting, or smoking. PCP consumption has a negative impact on the victim, irrespective of whether it is taken for a short term or long term. To mitigate its effects as discussed in the paper, people should avoid using the drug.
References
Center for Substance Abuse Research. (2015). Phencyclidine (PCP). Web.
National Drug Intelligence Center. (2001). Information Bulletin: PCP Tablets sold as MDMA (product no. 2001-L0424-003). Washington, DC: Department of Justice.