How Angel Dust Affects You

Want to know how Angel Dust affects you? Read on and get the facts.

Angel Dust, also know as PCP (phencyclidine), is a hallucinogenic anesthetic drug often found mixed in with marijuana. PCP was marketed in the U.S. in the 1950’s under the trade name Sernyl. It was used as an animal tranquilizer and surgical anesthetic but post operative side effects of the drug included severe anxiety, psychosis and feelings of uneasiness, and for this reason the drug was discontinued for human consumption but continued for veterinary use. Angel dust became popular among hippies during the 1960’s psychedelic drug culture. Angel dust can be smoked, snorted or swallowed and is classified as a Schedule II substance in the U.S. It has a high potential for abuse and addiction, which can create many problems because of how angel dust affects you physically and psychologically. 

PCP has many street names depending on how it is packaged.  Street names for PCP alone include:

• Rocket fuel
• Animal trank
• Peace pills
• Amp
• Angel dust
• Belladonna
• Amoeba
• Embalming fluid
• Hog
• Whack
• Ozone

Street names for PCP combined with tobacco or marijuana include:

• Killer join
• Fry
• Wet
• Crystal supergrass

When PCP is combined with MDMA, it is known on the street as:

• Pikachu
• Elephant flipping

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) reports that PCP addiction and abuse are primarily among high school students and young adults. The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) reports that the drug is widespread among the African American male community aged 21-24 years old. The drug’s popularity is growing among women, and emergency room visits increased by 400% among both genders during 2005-2011, with males leading by 69%.

Angel dust affects the release and reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain. As a hallucinogenic drug that induces a dissociative anesthetic state, angel dust side effects may vary. The addict may feel detached from his environment and experience image distortion and hallucinatory sound. He may feel physically powerful and invulnerable, but exhibit slurred speech and a loss of coordination. Angel dust side effects can also produce severe mood disorders and hostile behavior. Other angel dust side effects include:

• Sedation
• Slurred speech
• Loss of coordination
• Sight and sound distortion
• Detachment
• Numbness
• Amnesia
• Hallucinations
• Shallow breathing
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate
• Catatonic posturing
• Cognition, speech and memory impairment
• Acute anxiety and depression
• Suicidal thoughts and acts
• Delirium
• Mania
• Seizures
• Hostility and violent behavior
• Coma and death

If you suspect a loved one of abusing angel dust, there are PCP addiction warning signs to help you determine if there is a problem. Some of the PCP addiction warning signs you may witness are:

• Slurred speech and stuttering
• Rapid involuntary eye movements
• Numbness
• Sedation
• A blank stare
• Immobility
• Hallucinations
• Amnesia
• Inability to speak
• Depression
• Isolation and withdrawal from family and friends
• Impaired memory
• Apathy
• Weight loss
• Agitation

Long-term PCP addiction can cause acute depression and feelings of despair and the addict may begin to experience suicidal thoughts. If you have seen a change in your loved one’s behavior and mental processes you should speak to them about getting professional help.

Getting weaned off of angel dust can cause dangerous health complications and an addict should never try to do it alone. He should get a medically supervised detox at a certified drug rehab facility where addiction specialists can safely remove the drug from his body. The medical staff at the rehab center is able to control the detox process to prevent adverse health complications. Your loved one will be kept safe and stable throughout the detox process, and afterward he can begin a series of other therapies to prepare him for living a healthy, sober life.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.