236 Phencyclidine Abuse and Dependence (305.9)
DSM-IV-TR criteria
- See above for specific abuse and dependence criteria.
Associated features
- Phencyclidine can be sold as a crystalline powder, paste, liquid, or a drug soaked paper. Common street drug names for Phencyclidine are: PCP, angel dust, boat, tic tac, zoom, hog, ozone, rocket fuel, wack, and shermans. It can be smoked, injected or snorted; smoking being the most common way it is used. It is sometimes used as an additive to marjuanna, and in this case the street names could include but are not limited to: super grass, lovelies, wet, fry, killer joints, and waters.
- Depending on the route in which the drug is used, as well as the dosage, the effects and severity of the effects will vary. It is often known as the “dissociative anesthetic” because of its distortment in sights and sounds. PCP can give an individual the feeling of detachment from his or her environment and self and have psychological and physiological effects such as: sedation, immobility, amnesia, numbness, slurred speech, rapid and involuntary eye movements, increased blood pressure, elevated tempature and heart rate, analgesia, and (with a high enough dosage) illusions and hallucinations.
- Chronic use of the drug can result in several impairments; speech, memory, and thinking. Long-term effects can include suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, and social isolation. There have also been drowning deaths, violent and accidental deaths, and suicide linked to the usage of PCP.
Child vs. adult presentation
PCP abuse occurs more in high school students and young adults, rather than in children. Studies have shown that the usage has varied among ages and has been seen prevalent in anywhere from 12 to 34; 26 to 34 being the highest range where users typically fall under. However, children may be exposed to it due to parental use and neglect.
Gender and cultural differences in presentation
It is not very common but more PCP use is among males than females because of association with delinquent peers is most likely male involvement.
Epidemiology
- PCP is associated with 10% of substance abuse deaths and 32% of related emergency room visits. Most users are between 18-25 years of age, and account for more than 50% of cases. Most patients are more likely to be white males. Mostly used in the United States.
- Phencyclidine was once marketed as an anesthetic in United States for medical purposes under the trade names of Sernyl and Sernylan, but is no longer produced or used in the U.S. It was used on patients before surgery to calm them down, and used during and after surgery to ease pain, but after many reports of troubled speech, hallucinations, disoriented behavior, and other disturbing effects, it was withdrawn from the market in 1979.
Etiology
Phencyclidine (PCP) is a hallucinogenic drug that can mimic several aspects of the schizophrenic symptomatology in healthy volunteers. In a series of studies PCP was administered to rats t