PCP is short for phencyclidine, a drug introduced in the mid-20th century for surgical anesthesia. At the time, there were not many anesthesia drugs available and it was popular because it did not affect breathing or blood pressure. However, the drug did not last long in medicine because it caused many adverse side effects.

Today, PCP is not produced legally for any medical purpose. However, people still illegally produce and misuse the highly addictive drug.

PCP rehab and PCP addiction treatment are important tools for treating abuse and addiction. Most states have PCP rehab centers with options for treatment, which can dramatically help people who are addicted to PCP detox and recover from their substance abuse disorder.

PCP Addiction Treatment Options

PCP addiction treatment begins with accepting and recognizing that there is a problem. Whether someone recognizes addiction in themselves or another person, they should take steps to start treatment.

Addiction is a disease that leaves people stuck in a cycle of euphoria, crash and craving. They take PCP to feel good, followed by a crash. The crash is so uncomfortable that individuals find themselves craving the drug. The longer someone uses PCP, the worse the dependence is.

PCP treatment centers are available in every state, and a tool to search for them is located here on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website. SAMHSA is a federally funded organization that supports the clinical efforts of addiction medicine.

PCP detox should never be done at home. PCP withdrawal can cause dangerous side effects that must be managed in a hospital or inpatient rehab center. These side effects may include:

  • Anxiety, or worry
  • Confusion
  • Cravings
  • Depression
  • Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
  • High body temperature (fever)
  • Muscle twitching
  • Seizures
  • Weight loss

The course of PCP detoxification is unpredictable and can last for many days. PCP can take up to 15 days to leave the body after using it once and over a month for people who use it all the time.

Residential treatment takes place at an inpatient treatment facility. Treatment takes place on-site in a 24-hour live-in facility.

Treatment includes group and individual talk therapy, art therapies and support groups. Residents will also learn how to manage stress and anxiety in healthy ways.

Outpatient rehab allows people to seek treatment from home. For people with mild to moderate addictions, this is a viable option.

People commute to treatment groups multiple times per week. Treatment is focused on maintaining sober living and learning new and healthy coping skills.

Dual diagnosis treatment refers to rehab for someone with both an addiction and a mental health disorder like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or severe depression, among others.

Symptoms of these disorders can be the same or similar to side effects caused by PCP, and PCP can also induce mental health problems. Dual diagnosis treatment is complicated by this two-way exchange of risk.

Addiction specialists that treat dual diagnoses must receive special training.

After an addiction has gone into remission, with symptoms disappearing, PCP recovery can begin.

Aftercare focuses on continuing to go to treatment sessions. Results are very good for people who continue to attend treatment.

Someone in recovery will learn to find new goals and activities to replace drug use.

Recovery is also a good time to reconnect with friends and family who have lost touch. Friends who still use PCP should be avoided since they might be a bad influence.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Rehab

Inpatient rehab is a live-in treatment option for people with a more severe addiction. Patients live in the facility with an on-site, trained medical and psychiatric staff. Days are structured.

Outpatient rehab has a tight structure but allows more freedom for people with less severe addictions. People in outpatient treatment will attend classes or treatment groups several times each week or even daily, depending on their program. At the end of the day, they can return home and are often able to attend work or school.

Our Drug Detox and Inpatient Rehab Center

The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health

4905 Lantana Rd
Lake Worth, FL 33463

561-340-7269

How Long Does Rehab Take?

PCP rehab, like rehab for other drugs, usually takes about 90 days. Some treatment programs can last longer, and research shows that longer treatment programs are actually more effective.

The reason treatment lasts so long is because behaviors must be relearned to help the person readjust to functioning in society. Learning new, healthy behaviors can take months or even years.

What Does PCP Rehab Cost?

The cost of PCP rehab varies. Someone looking to enter rehab treatment will need to speak to the facility and the treatment team to learn their options.

Many insurance plans will cover treatment, but not everyone has access to insurance. People without insurance coverage can find inexpensive or free drug treatment options. Options for low-income patients without insurance are available as well.

Will Insurance Cover Rehab?

Most insurance companies cover drug addiction treatment, but not all do. Someone looking for treatment should speak with an insurance representative to find out about their specific coverage.

If insurance does not cover a treatment facility, the facility might have low-cost options or patient assistance programs.

Choosing a PCP Rehab Center

  • Location: Patients may attend a center that is close to home or far away. Someone might choose a closer location if they want support from friends and family who support treatment. Bringing in friends that still use PCP can hijack treatment and make it ineffective. For those seeking more privacy, a location further from home could be a desirable option.
  • Cost: After determining if insurance will cover treatment, an individual should speak directly with the treatment facility to determine the cost of treatment.
  • Methods of Treatment Provided: Since PCP is not a common drug of abuse, someone looking for treatment should make sure there is a professional trained in PCP addiction before entering the program, regardless of the location.
  • Treatment Effectiveness: Treatment centers may show potential clients impressive numbers and statistics, but there is another way to learn about if their treatment is effective. A person researching a treatment facility should ask if they can speak to past clients to learn about their experiences. Online reviews may be another good source of information.
  • Treatment Length: Treatment length varies based on the individual and should not play a role in how someone chooses their rehab center.
  • Staff-to-patient Ratio: More staff will usually mean better treatment. Asking about the facility’s staff-to-patient ratio can help a person understand how much individual treatment they will receive.

What to Expect Before Rehab

For people entering inpatient rehab, the prospect could be intimidating. However, getting treatment is very important for anyone with a PCP addiction, and can be the difference between life and death. Trained professionals are ready to walk patients through the process and support them as they begin their path to recovery.

A person entering rehab should bring clothes, identification and some small personal items. Each treatment facility will have different rules regarding possessions.

Someone entering outpatient treatment will need to be ready to devote a lot of time to their treatment even though they are living at home.

What Happens After Rehab?

Ideally, successful rehab allows a person to function productively in their family, workplace and community.

Sober living should be a fulfilling experience for someone who has been successfully treated for PCP addiction. However, remaining sober can be a challenge, and some people will benefit from continued support from therapy and support groups. For most, treating addiction is a lifelong journey.

How Rehab Helps You Overcome Angel Dust Addiction

Rehab helps a person overcome the initial hurdle of withdrawal and detox, which can be the hardest stage of recovery. Uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms may tempt a person to continue using PCP.

PCP, or angel dust, addiction is a potentially deadly disease that can dramatically impact the life of the addicted individual as well as those around them.

Key Points: Understanding PCP Addiction Treatment and Rehab

  • PCP, or phencyclidine, is a drug originally developed for surgical anesthesia.
  • PCP remains in the United States as a drug of abuse.
  • Detox from PCP should never be attempted at home without medical supervision.
  • Options for PCP addiction treatment include inpatient, outpatient and residential treatment programs.
  • Those who successfully complete PCP rehab often enter remission and live happy and fulfilled lives

Have you witnessed PCP abuse in yourself or a loved one? Call The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health to connect with a representative. We can answer your questions and help get you started on the path to a happy and sober life.

Medical Disclaimer: The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.