When you hear the term dissociative in relation to drug use, you may think of substances that naturally evoke hallucinations and give the user the feeling of leaving the body and experiencing dreamlike, psychedelic episodes. Lysergic acid, or LSD, is one such drug that creates this kind of euphoric state in a user, and included in the same realm is another man-made substance with similar properties but can be more damaging. Phencyclidine is a dissociative drug that can prove damaging and/or deadly.

Known by streets names angel dust, killer joint, and rocket fuel, Phencyclidine (PCP) is a white powder with a bitter flavor. It was originally created to act as an anesthetic for medicinal purposes. The potency of the drug, in particular its ability to warp depth perception and enhance mental detachment, was too strong for traditional use, and the drug was made illegal in the 1960s.

Cocaine is addictive. Cocaine interferes with the way your brain processes chemicals that create feelings of pleasure, so you need more and more of the drug just to feel normal. People who become addicted to cocaine start to lose interest in other areas of their life, like school, friends, and sports.

The Effects of PCP

When taken, PCP acts to effect the nervous system through distribution of glutamate, a prevalent amino acid that helps control the body's metabolism. When glutamate to the brain is decreased, the user may experience difficulty with balance and perception of pain and other sensations, and may be subject to hallucinations and memory loss.

Cocaine and crack use has been a contributing factor in a number of drownings, car crashes, falls, burns, and suicides.

The Dangers of PCP

Whether taken alone or with other drugs, PCP is known to be addictive. Prolonged abuse of PCP has been known to cause violent and/or suicidal behavior in users, while many others experience increased blood pressure, numbness in limbs, and respiratory effects. Due to the powerful nature of the drug, it is believed people who have experimented with PCP once may suffer the effects for months and years afterward in the form of slurred speech, hallucinations, and even seizures.

Research suggests that the use of alcohol and drugs by other family members plays a strong role in whether children start using drugs. Parents, grandparents, and older brothers and sisters in the home are models for children to follow.

People who suspect friends or loved ones of using PCP may wish to look for symptoms, which include:

• Memory loss
• Difficulty with speech
• Periods of depression
• Rapid, unexplained weight loss
• Mood swings
• Problems with balance
• Continued nausea and vomiting

It is important, if you suspect a loved one of abusing PCP or any type of drug, to consult with a professional about what steps to take. PCP can not only be dangerous when ingested, but may prove to have risks to the environment, as a number of PCP-related deaths involve the user causing harm physically to others or themselves by reacting violently to the drug.

All people who experience alcohol or drug withdrawal symptoms should seek professional treatment.  The main reason for this is to prevent further difficulties or complications from happening.  For example, in some extreme instances, alcohol and drug withdrawal symptoms can be life threatening.

Stephanie Loebs is the executive director of Williamsburg Place, one of the top drug rehab clinics in the nation. Williamsburg Place aids those who suffer from drug and/or alcohol addiction, and specializes in caring for health care professionals. For over twenty years Williamsburg Place and its joint rehabilitation center, the William J. Farley Center, have helped thousands of people from all walks of life take back their lives and overcome substance abuse.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephanie_Loebs

There are many different names for marijuana. Terms from years ago, such as pot, herb, grass, weed, Mary Jane, and reefer, are still used. You might also hear the names Aunt Mary, skunk, boom, gangster, kif, or ganja.

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