Phencyclidine

Phencyclidine (PCP), also referred to as angel dust, is a hallucinogen that produces feelings of euphoria, superhuman strength, and social/sexual prowess.1 All but one of PCP derivatives, ketamine, became illegal in 1978.1 Ketamine is a synthetic compound used as a surgical anesthetic today. PCP, before 1978, was indicated for anesthesia and for animal tranquilization, but it was removed from the market due to its many side effects, the most common being psychosis, dysphoria, and agitation.1 Today it is ingested in many different forms, some of which include smoking, snorting, or injection.1 The effect of PCP on the body is influenced by the body’s habitat, alcohol co-ingestion, and nutrient intake.1 PCP is highly lipophilic, meaning that because
The most common abused illegal forms include opium and heroin. Opioids work through binding to mu receptors in the brain, causing inhibition of ascending pain pathways, altering pain perception, and causing CNS depression.5 Over 210 million scripts for opioids were written in 2010, over 5 million people are addicted in the United States alone, and opioid overdose leads to 17,000 deaths each year.4 This proves that opioids use needs to be put under control. Chronic use of opioids leads to decreased production of natural endorphins, which can also be a factor leading to addiction. Side effects from opioid use include mood, behavioral, physical, and psychological symptoms. Symptoms include: depression, euphoria, irritability, pain relief, respiratory depression, vomiting, insomnia, constipation, addiction, mental illness, social isolation, coma, and even death.4 Non-pharmacological treatment for opioid addiction include rehab, cognitive behavioral therapy, etc.6 Pharmacological options include methadone, buprophenone, and naloxone.6 Naloxone is an opioid antagonist which displace opioids at its receptor site.7 It is given at a dose of 0.4-2mg parenterally to reverse opioid overdose.7 Mr. Libertine’s past medical history shows us he abused opioids until 1994. Also, he abused opioids along with alcohol,
Mr. Libertine’s past social history is significant for several doses a day of methaqualone in 1987, although not likely to be causing his symptoms