PCP vs. Other Dissociatives: A Quick Comparison

Harm Reduction Tips for People Who Encounter PCPPhencyclidine (PCP), often called “angel dust,” is a powerful dissociative drug that can cause unpredictable physical and psychological effects. While the safest option is to avoid using illicit substances altogether, people may still encounter PCP — whether their own use, someone they care about, or in a clinical or emergency context. This article provides practical, evidence-informed harm reduction tips to reduce immediate dangers, manage acute incidents, and support longer-term safety.

What is PCP and why is it risky?

PCP was originally developed as an anesthetic in the 1950s but was discontinued for human use because it caused severe hallucinations and delirium. Today it is an illegal recreational drug available in powder, tablet, capsule, or liquid form, and sometimes sprayed onto plant material (like mint or oregano) or cigarettes. Effects vary by dose, route, and individual sensitivity; they can include dissociation, hallucinations, numbness, confusion, agitation, aggressive or violent behavior, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, nausea, seizures, and coma.

Key acute risks

• Severe agitation, violent or unpredictable behavior
• Psychosis, intense hallucinations, dissociation
• Dangerous injuries while disoriented or numb to pain
• Hyperthermia, cardiovascular strain, and seizures
• Accidental overdose or mixing-related toxicity (especially with alcohol, stimulants, or other depressants)

Recognize signs of PCP use or intoxication

Knowing the common signs helps with timely, appropriate responses:

• Blank stare, slowed or slurred speech, or rapid speech with odd content
• Loss of coordination, slowed reflexes, numbness, or tremors
• Intense dissociation (“out-of-body” feeling), hallucinations, paranoia, or severe confusion
• Sudden agitation, aggression, or unpredictable behavior
• Elevated heart rate, rapid breathing, high body temperature, profuse sweating
• Nausea, vomiting, seizures, or loss of consciousness

Immediate harm-reduction steps if someone is intoxicated

1. Ensure safety first — your own and others’. If the person is violent or a threat, call emergency services rather than intervening alone.
2. Create a calm environment: reduce noise, bright lights, and interruptions. Speak slowly and reassuringly.
3. Keep the person seated or lying down to prevent falls or injury; remove nearby hazards.
4. Do not restrain tightly unless necessary for safety; if restraint is required, use the least forceful method and consider calling professionals.
5. Hydrate if conscious and cooperative — small sips of water — but avoid forcing fluids.
6. Monitor vital signs: breathing, responsiveness, and temperature. If breathing is shallow or absent, call emergency services and begin CPR if trained.
7. For hyperthermia, move them to a cooler place, loosen clothing, and apply cool compresses.
8. If they are having a seizure, protect their head, move dangerous objects away, and do not put anything in their mouth. Time the seizure; if it lasts longer than 5 minutes, call emergency services.
9. If the person becomes unconscious or cannot be roused, place them in the recovery position (on their side) if no spinal injury suspected, and call emergency services.

When to call emergency services

• Chest pain, signs of a heart attack, or severe breathing difficulty
• Seizures lasting longer than 5 minutes or repeated seizures
• Loss of consciousness or dangerously decreased responsiveness
• Extreme agitation with risk of harm to self or others that can’t be managed safely
• Suspected overdose, especially with slowed breathing or blue lips/fingertips

Reducing risk before use (if someone is considering using)

• Test the substance if possible — reagent test kits can indicate presence of PCP or other adulterants, though they’re not perfect.
• Start with a very small dose and wait — effects can be unpredictable in onset and intensity.
• Avoid mixing PCP with alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, stimulants, or other psychoactive drugs. Combinations raise risk of overdose, unpredictable behavior, and dangerous cardiovascular effects.
• Use only in a safe, familiar environment with a sober, trusted person present (“trip sitter”) who can seek help if needed.
• Keep a phone charged and accessible and have emergency numbers ready.
• Know how to identify and respond to overdose symptoms.

Managing behavioral and psychiatric effects

• Validate their feelings without encouraging delusions: simple statements like “I’m here, you’re safe” can be grounding.
• Avoid arguing about hallucinations or delusions; instead, offer gentle redirection and grounding techniques (deep breathing, focusing on physical sensations, naming nearby objects).
• If psychosis persists or is severe, seek medical help — antipsychotic medication administered by professionals may be required.
• After the acute phase, consider mental-health follow-up; PCP use can trigger or worsen anxiety, depression, PTSD, and psychotic disorders.

Reducing long-term harms

• Encourage delay of further use and reduction or abstinence if use is frequent or causing problems.
• Seek medical and mental-health assessment for ongoing cognitive, mood, or perceptual issues. PCP can cause lasting cognitive impairment, memory problems, and mood disturbances in some users.
• Access substance use treatment options if needed: outpatient counseling, peer-support groups, harm-reduction services, and, in more severe cases, inpatient programs.
• Use safer-using practices if not ready to quit: avoid frequent use, don’t drive or operate heavy machinery while impaired, and avoid using alone.

Legal and social considerations

• Possession, distribution, and sale of PCP are illegal in most jurisdictions and carry serious penalties. Be aware of local laws.
• If someone is arrested or detained while intoxicated, prioritize safety and legal rights: request medical evaluation if there are medical or psychiatric concerns.
• Stigma can prevent people from seeking help; frame care as medical and safety-focused rather than moralizing.

Resources and further support

• Local emergency services for acute overdose or violent behavior.
• Local harm-reduction organizations for testing supplies, safer-use information, and referrals.
• Mental-health and addiction services for ongoing care: counseling, medication management, and peer support.
• Trusted crisis lines for acute psychiatric support.

PCP can produce intense and unpredictable effects that raise immediate and long-term risks. When encountering PCP use, prioritize safety, reduce environmental triggers, avoid risky combinations, and seek professional help for severe medical or psychiatric symptoms. For persistent problems, medical and addiction-care follow-up improves outcomes.