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Are you wondering “what is angel dust?”. This blog from Samarpan Recovery tells you everything you need to know.
Angel Dust, more often known as PCP, is a powerful dissociative drug that alters perceptions, thoughts, and sensations. Originally synthesized in the 1950s for medical purposes, PCP found its way into recreational use in the United States in the 1960s, gaining notoriety for its unpredictable and sometimes dangerous effects.
The most common way for people to use angel dust is by dipping liquid PCP on a cigarette, though it can also be swallowed, snorted or injected.
The effects of angel dust vary greatly depending on the tolerance of the user and the amount of PCP used. The dose-response curve for this drug is relatively steep, meaning that while one dose of PCP may produce desired effects, a slightly higher dose might result in severely unpleasant psychological and physiological effects.
PCP is known for its hallucinogenic properties, leading to altered perceptions of reality. Users may experience vivid visual, auditory, and sensory distortions.
Angel Dust can cause confusion and disorientation, leading to impaired cognitive function. Thoughts may become disjointed, and users may struggle with rational decision-making.
PCP use can result in increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure, posing potential cardiovascular risks.
As PCP is a dissociative, users may experience a feeling of numbness or detachment from their bodies. Motor skills can be significantly impaired, leading to unsteady movements and poor coordination.
Angel dust may cause heightened states of agitation and, in some cases, aggressive or violent behavior. PCP users under the influence of Angel Dust may pose a danger to themselves and others.
PCP users may experience intense anxiety and paranoia, feeling as though they are being persecuted or that imminent danger is present.
PCP can affect speech patterns, leading to slurred speech or difficulty expressing thoughts coherently.
Angel Dust may heighten or dampen sensory perceptions, leading to intensified sensations or a dulled sense of touch.
In some cases, PCP use can trigger severe psychiatric symptoms, including psychosis. This may involve a detachment from reality, delusional thinking, and a loss of touch with one's surroundings.
Knowing what is angel dust also involves understanding cultural perceptions of angel dust. The portrayal of PCP in popular culture often highlights its unpredictable and hallucinogenic effects.
In movies, PCP has been depicted as a substance capable of distorting reality and inducing extreme and erratic behavior. Films like "Training Day" and "Friday" showcase characters under the influence of PCP, illustrating the potential for chaos and violence associated with the drug. These portrayals have played a role in shaping public perception and reinforcing the stigma surrounding PCP use.
PCP has also made its presence felt in the music industry. Some artists, particularly in the hip-hop genre, have referenced Angel Dust in their lyrics. These references, while sometimes glamorizing drug use, also serve as a reflection of the societal issues and struggles faced by people in various communities.
The rapper “Big Lurch” caused horror in 2002, when he murdered and cannibalized his roommate while under the influence of PCP.
Most drugs can be found in most or all countries. There are few countries in the world where it is difficult to buy cannabis. In the majority of countries, drugs like cocaine and heroin tend to be readily available. And while fentanyl is most commonly found in North America, it is also for now sale in many other continents.
Angel dust then has the distinction of being one of the few drugs that is almost exclusively found within one country: the United States. There are a number of reasons why this may be the case.
The first of these is that drug use is a cultural phenomenon. Cultural experiences from the US do not necessarily translate to those in other countries.
PCP may also have not gained traction in other countries due to ketamine, a drug with somewhat similar dissociative qualities, already being entrenched within these other countries. There is no need for a drug user to seek out PCP when they already have a substance that produces the effect they are looking for.
And many drug users outside of the US may even be unaware of what PCP is, not even knowing the answer to “what is angel dust?”
It may also be difficult to get the ingredients needed to make PCP in countries outside the US. This leads to illicit drug manufacturers to not attempt to produce angel dust, as the precursors can be prohibitively expensive.
Lastly, due to media attention in the 1980s, angel dust has a particularly bad reputation as being singularly harmful. Using it damages the body and mind, and it can result in you causing harm to yourself and those around you.
The dissociative effects of angel dust can be incredibly seductive for some people. While users may begin using angel dust in a party environment or with friends, others isolate and take the drug by themselves.
You can become addicted to any drug, and angel dust is no different. Angel dust withdrawals can be severe, and it is common for people to relapse while they are attempting to quit due to the cravings this drug gives users.
PCP is one of the more harmful drugs that a person can take. And while you may be able to stop by yourself if you have a mild dependence, those with severe dependence to PCP usually have to receive professional care so they can quit using.
Samarpan Recovery treats addictions to all substances, including PCP. If you have become addicted to this drug, or any other, please get in touch and we will let you know how we can help.
Samarpan is a specialized international Substance Use Disorder (De-Addiction) and Process Addiction rehab in Pune, India that accepts a maximum of 26 clients. We only accept clients on a voluntary basis and have a highly structured program that encompasses the most effective approaches to Substance Use Disorder and addiction. The facility is set in the rolling hills Mulshi, with clients having either individual or shared rooms, in a modern resort-like facility, staffed by Internationally Accredited Professionals. Samarpan is fully licensed under The MSMHA and is also an accredited GORSKI-CENAPS Centre of Excellence offering a program from 5 to 13 weeks.
If you or someone you care about is considering treatment for substance use disorder or process addictions, we can help. Contact us now on admissions@samarpan.in or phone/WhatsApp us on +91 81809 19090.
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