A PCP addiction can have devastating effects in a person’s life. According to the University of Maryland, addicts experience considerable impairments in learning and memory capacity as well as severe emotional imbalances.

PCP abuse alters brain functions over time, essentially “reconfiguring” how the brain works. PCP addiction treatment addresses both the physical and psychological effects of the drug in a person’s life. Fortunately, a range of treatment options exists for anyone considering getting help.

PCP Addiction Effects

While nowhere near as addictive as opiates and amphetamines, the effects of PCP and hallucinogens like it can pose a considerable risk for addiction when used on a regular basis. PCP addictions take root within the psychological workings of the brain, altering a person’s overall outlook in terms of his or her belief systems, motivations and priorities.

In effect, by the time a person becomes addicted to PCP, he or she has developed a psychological dependency on the drug. Unlike other types of drugs, psychological dependency can develop before physical dependency due to the areas of the brain most affected by PCP. For these reasons, PCP addiction treatment places a heavy emphasis on undoing the psychological aftereffects of this drug.

PCP Addiction Treatment Options – What to Look for

PCP addiction treatment involves detox, residential programs, and outpatient care.

Detox

More oftentimes than not, someone addicted to PCP has also developed a physical dependency along the way. The first step towards breaking an addiction requires total ongoing abstinence from further drug use.

PCP addiction treatment begins with the detox process, where addicts receive round-the-clock, medically supervised care to address the withdrawal effects that come with an abrupt cessation of drug use. Detox treatment interventions use medications to help relieve uncomfortable symptoms while helping addicts make it through the emotional distress withdrawal can bring.

Residential Programs

Addiction’s impact on a person’s psychological make-up inevitably transfers over to his or her daily behaviors and overall lifestyle. While detox PCP addiction treatment addresses the body’s physical dependency on the drug, treating the psychological dependency on the drug requires ongoing behavioral-based treatment.

Residential treatment programs operate as live-in facilities where addicts learn to develop the behaviors, habits and routines that promote a drug-free lifestyle. Treatment interventions used include:

• Group therapy
• Individual psychotherapy
• Support group work

Outpatient Treatment

While residential and outpatient programs employ the same types of treatment interventions, outpatient programs offer a less structured treatment approach in terms of not requiring patients to live on the grounds. These programs work well for those who’ve successfully completed detox and residential programs. Otherwise, only people coming off short-term or mild addiction problems should consider this level of PCP addiction treatment.

Places to Look

Finding PCP addiction treatment in your area shouldn’t be hard considering the vast array of programs and resources available today. Places to look for PCP addiction treatment include:

• Local area doctors
• Emergency room doctors
• 12 Step support groups
• Department of Health & Human Services office

Another place to look is the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration online site, which provides a treatment program locator search engine.

Ultimately, knowing which types of programs will best meet your treatment needs and where to look for these programs will have you well on your way to getting needed treatment help.