What Does PCP Look Like? Powder, Liquid, Wet and Street-Drug Identification
PCP may appear as powder, liquid or material applied to cigarettes or plant products. Learn what terms like wet and fry mean and why appearance cannot…
PCP (Phencyclidine)
PCP is phencyclidine, an illicit dissociative drug that can cause numbness, altered perception, severe agitation, psychosis, seizures and dangerous medical toxicity. These guides cover the drug from first-use questions through addiction treatment and emergency risks.
PCP is a dissociative drug with a clinical profile that is very different from cocaine, opioids or LSD. It can produce numbness, abnormal eye movements, severe agitation, psychosis, high blood pressure, seizures and coma. Repeated use can become compulsive even though PCP does not usually produce the same medically dangerous withdrawal syndrome seen with alcohol or benzodiazepines.
Use the guides below to understand the drug, distinguish intoxication from withdrawal, interpret testing, compare PCP with ketamine and identify when psychiatric or medical symptoms require emergency care.
PCP (Phencyclidine) Guides
8 articles
What Is PCP? Phencyclidine Effects, Risks, Addiction and Treatment
PCP is phencyclidine, an illicit dissociative drug that can cause numbness, altered perception, psychosis, severe agitation and dangerous toxicity. Learn how it works, risks, addiction and…
PCP Effects and Side Effects: Brain, Heart and Behavioral Risks
PCP can cause dissociation, numbness, abnormal eye movements, high blood pressure, psychosis, seizures, hyperthermia and trauma. Learn short-term and long-term risks.
PCP Psychosis: Paranoia, Hallucinations and How Long Symptoms Can Last
PCP can cause paranoia, hallucinations, delusions and severe disorganization that may outlast intoxication. Learn how PCP psychosis differs from ordinary intoxication and schizophrenia.
PCP Overdose and Toxicity: Signs, Seizures, Psychosis and Emergency Care
Severe PCP toxicity can cause seizures, hyperthermia, coma, respiratory depression, muscle breakdown and dangerous agitation. Learn warning signs and emergency response.
How Long Does PCP Stay in Your System? Urine, Blood and Drug Testing
PCP can remain detectable after intoxication ends. Learn urine and blood testing, chronic-use detection, false-positive screens and confirmatory toxicology.
PCP Addiction: Signs, Dependence and Treatment
PCP can become addictive even without a dramatic physical withdrawal syndrome. Learn warning signs, dependence vs addiction, psychiatric complications and treatment options.
PCP vs Ketamine: Differences, Effects, Medical Use and Addiction Risk
PCP and ketamine are related dissociatives, but ketamine has accepted medical uses while PCP is primarily an illicit drug. Compare duration, psychosis, addiction and overdose risks.
PCP (Phencyclidine) Topics
Understand PCP
- What Is PCP?: phencyclidine, dissociation, brain effects and major health risks.
- PCP Effects and Side Effects: neurologic, cardiovascular, behavioral and long-term risks.
- How Long Does PCP Last?: intoxication duration, residual effects and prolonged psychiatric symptoms.
Testing and Identification
- How Long Does PCP Stay in Your System?: urine, blood, screening and confirmatory testing.
- What Does PCP Look Like?: powder, liquid, wet, fry and why appearance cannot confirm identity.
Withdrawal and Addiction
- PCP Withdrawal: craving, depression, sleep changes and why it differs from alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal.
- PCP Addiction: compulsive use, dependence, treatment and relapse risk.
Serious Psychiatric and Medical Risks
- PCP Overdose and Toxicity: seizure, hyperthermia, coma, respiratory risk and emergency response.
- PCP Psychosis: paranoia, hallucinations, duration and dual-diagnosis care.
Compare Dissociatives
- PCP vs Ketamine: dissociative effects, duration, medical use, addiction and overdose differences.