Author: Charles Frank

What Is Angel Dust? Addiction Treatment Asheville, NC

Physical reactions to angel dust can range from numbness and loss of coordination to more severe reactions like convulsions, coma, and in extreme cases, death. Emergence reaction is an adverse reaction to PCP and ketamine use seen during the recovery phase. It manifests with bizarre behavior, psychosis, confusion, hallucinations, vivid dreams, or the sensation of floating. With very high doses, acidosis, hyperthermia, tachycardia, severe hypertension, seizures, and coma may occur; deaths are unusual. Although rare, ketamine may induce brief or recurrent laryngospasm even at a therapeutic dose.

Drug-dependent individuals frequently benefit from the medical treatment and supervision offered by treatment centers. Once a user’s body is clear of the drug, the next treatment steps can be started. The effects of angel dust drug can be physical and psychological. People taking the drug may experience distortions in time, space, and their own body image. PCP also causes a disconnection from reality, triggering a sense of detachment from the environment and self. Angel dust is a street name for PCP, a powerful hallucinogenic drug that can profoundly impact body and mind.

Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures: Signs, Symptoms, & Treatment

Brain damage is often caused by a lack of oxygen that is caused by seizure activity caused by PCP. The reduction or blocked flow of oxygen to the brain can also lead to decreased breathing or coma. Organs that use higher levels of oxygen to function are particularly susceptible to this lack of oxygen. PCP works by affecting various neurotransmitters in the brain.

1. Ketamine and phencyclidine (PCP) are chemically related anesthetics.
2. Getting help is essential if you or someone you love is addicted to angel dust.
3. A blood test can detect angel dust in the bloodstream for up to 48 hours after use.
4. PCP has sedative effects, and interactions with other central nervous system depressants, such as alcohol and benzodiazepines, can lead to coma or accidental overdose.
5. PCP use during pregnancy can also result in having a newborn with poor muscle control, low birth weight, brain damage, and withdrawal symptoms.

PCP affects the user’s memory, ability to process emotion, and learning ability. At lower doses, the effects of PCP can be similar to alcohol intoxication. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products.

What are PCP’s effects on the brain?

Fortunately, there is help available to those addicted to PCP. Prior to embarking on the treatment journey, PCP users will usually need to undergo a period of detoxification. This period of detoxification can be somewhat unpleasant, but it is necessary when undergoing medical treatment.

It is illegally manufactured and sold on the street under names such as “angel dust”; it is sometimes sold in combination with herbs, marijuana, and smoking tobacco. No longer used for medicinal purposes, people now take angel dust to experience vivid hallucinations. This powerful drug is a psychedelic substance, meaning it alters the perception of what is and isn’t real. Thus, addiction to angel dust is a complex issue that requires comprehensive treatment. Seeking professional help and support is essential for achieving long-term recovery. Individuals with co-occurring mental health disorders may benefit from dual diagnosis treatment, which simultaneously addresses both addiction and mental health disorders.

The drug can induce irregular heart rhythms and potentially lead to a heart attack, especially when taken in high doses. Difficulty breathing and respiratory arrest can occur, particularly with high doses or when mixed with other depressants. PCP may also cause potentially life-threatening seizures and coma.

PCP use can lead to permanent mental health issues, especially for those already dealing with mental disorders. At the very least, angel dust makes mental disorder symptoms much worse. Although more research needs to be done, PCP may actually be able to cause mental disorders over long-term use. When a person addicted to angel dust stops using the drug, they may experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, and sweating. You might lose the sense of control around the substance and instead develop the need to use it more often to get through your day-to-day routine. This dependence on the drug is medically known as substance use disorder.

The first step of drug and alcohol treatment, drug detox should always be done with professional help. Detoxing alone, using detox kits, or taking the “cold turkey” approach should all be discouraged. The drug can be detected in various biological samples, including blood, urine, hair, and saliva. People who are addicted to angel dust may withdraw from social activities and relationships and may prioritize drug use over other essential aspects of their life. Your doctor may also refer you to a live-in addiction recovery center to help you through the next steps. But if you don’t have insurance or your insurance doesn’t cover it, speak to a health advocate at a  treatment facility about costs and payment plan options.

Diagnosis of Ketamine or PCP Use

At Red Oak Recovery®, we understand the challenges that those struggling with substance use disorders (SUDs) face. However, we also know there are treatment options available. If you have a substance use disorder involving angel dust, our drug addiction treatment center can provide education and treatment to help you overcome the condition. One of the primary reasons for addiction to angel dust is its powerful effects on the brain. The drug works by altering the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These chemicals are responsible for regulating mood, motivation, and pleasure.

It is considered a dissociative drug, leading to a distortion of sights, colors, sounds, self, and one’s environment. PCP was developed in the 1950s as an intravenous anesthetic, but due to the serious neurotoxic side effects, its development for human medical use was discontinued. Ketamine (Ketalar), an anesthetic used for surgery and painful procedures was developed instead and is structurally similar to PCP. Often, being surrounded by and interacting with other individuals struggling with PCP addiction can ease feelings of shame and isolation. Patients often hold each other accountable while learning about coping mechanisms and triggers in a supervised setting.

The liver, kidneys, and heart can also suffer from impaired functioning due to a lack of oxygen. PCP causes severe distortions in perception, which can lead to dangerous behaviors under the influence of hallucinations or delusional thinking. The use of PCP can inflame pre-existing mental health issues like depression and anxiety and can even trigger new psychiatric conditions. When used illicitly, the powder form is typically snorted but can be taken orally.

Medicaton-assisted treatment (MAT) helps people manage withdrawal symptoms and treat co-occurring mental health disorders. However, no medications are specifically approved to treat addiction to angel dust. Behavioral therapy is an essential part of addiction treatment.

Treatment Options Available for Addiction to Angel Dust

Patients with extremely high body temperatures may be cooled down using ventilation and liquids. Consuming PCP while pregnant can have a negative impact on the health of newborns. Since PCP can alter a mother’s state of mind and cause violent, aggressive, or suicidal behavior, it is possible to harm oneself and the fetus while high. PCP use during pregnancy can also result in having a newborn with poor muscle control, low birth weight, brain damage, and withdrawal symptoms. If you are pregnant or think you might become pregnant, it is best to refrain from using PCP. PCP’s sedative effects, when combined with other central nervous system depressants, such as benzodiazepines or alcohol, can cause accidental overdose or death.

PCP is most often sold as a liquid or powder and may be applied to a leafy plant such as marijuana, tobacco, or oregano for easier ingestion. The drug angel dust was initially developed for use as a general anesthetic before it gained traction as a drug of abuse in the 1960s. Angel dust is a Schedule II controlled substance, indicating its high potential for abuse despite its legitimate medical applications.

Angel dust can have serious short-term and long-term effects on the body and mind. In the short term, it can cause seizures, coma, and even death. Long-term use can result in memory loss, anxiety, depression, and psychosis. Angel dust is a synthetic compound found in powder, pill, or liquid form. It is usually ingested orally but can also be smoked, injected, or snorted.