How long does PCP stay in your system?

The 2015 National Drug Threat Assessment Summary categorized PCP as a comparatively non-threatening substance because it’s not widely used. The 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that 90,000 people age twelve and older used PCP within the past month and 6,388,000 used it in their lifetime. Compared to the figures for marijuana (130,332,000 and 44,157,000, respectively), you would possibly be inclined to accept as true with the 2015 summary.

However, any substance use or abuse isn’t something to be taken lightly, especially when the substance is PCP. With this in mind, we’ve compiled some information about the drug, its side effects, how long it remains in your body, and what quite treatment options are available for a PCP use disorder.

What Is PCP?

PCP is known as for the synthetic ingredients it’s derived from 1-phenylcyclohexylpiperidine hydrochloride.

All PCP within the us is formed in-country in illegal labs, but the drug was originally made in 1956 by Parke Davis and Company to be used as a surgical anesthetic. At first, it appeared to be a far better option than existing options, but 30% of patients became agitated and disoriented during recovery. they might become aggressive and violent, had hallucinations that might last over 12 hours, and a few symptoms would resemble that of schizophrenia.

As a result, PCP was discontinued as a part of the medical profession within the 1960s but gained popularity as a drug of abuse shortly after. the consequences of PCP happen within 1-5 minutes after smoking it and peak and plateau in 15-30 minutes. A user will generally remain high for 4-6 hours, but won’t feel ‘normal’ for an additional 24-48 hours.

Why Do People Use PCP?

While many of the explanations that doctors stopped using PCP are frightening, the hippie culture of the 1960s and ’70s embraced PCP. it had been popular then —and are often tempting today— because it induces:

Euphoria.
A feeling of unlimited power.
Seemingly ‘super-human’ strength.
Feelings of social and sexual skill.
Excitement.
Hallucinations.
The inability to feel pain.
A feeling of detachment or distance from your surroundings.
Extreme adrenaline highs.
A feeling of “time expansion.”

Low doses tend to mimic the emotions of alcohol consumption. Higher doses increase the emotions of numbness and cause more agitated behavior.

What Problems Can PCP Cause?

Since PCP dissolves in water, it are often absorbed by other substances (marijuana, cigarettes, etc.) and smoked, in order that users don’t always know what they’re buying. an equivalent is true in its solid form; since it’s a white to yellowish powder, it are often sold to people that think they’re buying mescaline, psychedelic mushrooms, LSD, amphetamines, or cocaine.

There is also a prominent myth that PCP is formed from formaldehyde, which has caused people to interrupt into funeral homes to steal and ingest the embalming fluid. this will cause a moment coma, seizures, brain damage, and death.

These deceptions and misconceptions aside, PCP on its own can cause:

Aggression toward yourself or others. Men tend to be aggressive while high whereas women tend to be aggressive between instances of using.

Amnesia.
Anxiety/panic.
Brain damage.
Coma.
Confusion.
Depression.
Difficulty speaking, including slurred speech.
Disorientation.
Drooling.
High vital sign .
Irregular breathing.
Muscle rigidity.
Paranoia.
Psychosis.
Seizures.
Sweating.
Suicidal thoughts.
Tremors.

Some studies have also shown a correlation between PCP use and impulsive, violent crimes against others. this is often presumably thanks to the disorientation and aggression users feel while on the drug. Since the consequences of PCP can vary wildly supported the dose and therefore the user, taking it are often dangerous no matter circumstance since the result is unknown.

How And Why Do People Test For PCP?

Testing can happen in several venues, including:

Hospitals, doctor’s offices, or Emergency Departments, as a part of diagnostic testing.
Workplaces, sports-related organizations, or through insurance, to work out eligibility for employment , etc.
Various things could also be tested, like urine, blood, saliva, and hair.

How Long Can PCP Be Detected Through Testing?

Most scientists believe that the half-life of PCP is three days, through effects on the central systema nervosum can last from seven hours to every week in chronic users. Detecting PCP in your system relies heavily on the sort of test.

Urine tests can detect PCP after 4-6 hours and for up to 7-14 days.
Blood tests are best done within 1-4 hours since plasma levels peak during that point . Blood tests are often wiped out an ER setting.
Hair tests can detect PCP within 5-10 days after use and for up to 90 days.
Saliva tests can detect PCP within 5-10 minutes of use and for up to 3 days.

What Are The Signs Of A PCP Use Disorder?

Symptoms of a substance use disorder (SUD) include:

The inability to consistently abstain from use.
Impairment in behavioral control.
Craving the substance in question.
The inability to acknowledge significant problems as a results of use.
Cycles of remission and relapse.

PCP is an addictive substance. Chronic users have reported that after regular use, they have a tendency to double their consumption, showing that tolerance are often built. Repeated use also leads to cravings, compulsive substance-seeking behavior, and lack of look after consequences.

What Are The Available Treatment Options?

The first step when treating a PCP use disorder is combatting withdrawal. Symptoms can often involve days to weeks of psychosis, depression, anxiety, irritability, restlessness, and troubled sleep. Benzodiazepines are often wont to help manage these symptoms. Haldol also can be wont to treat symptoms of psychosis.

After the initial withdrawal period, a long-term stay in an inpatient setting with access to counseling can help someone with a PCP use disorder find out how to flourish in sobriety with a lessened chance of relapse. Life without PCP is feasible , also as beneficial to your physical and psychological state . Keeping these facts in mind, reach out for help and start to create a replacement life for yourself.