PCP, or phencyclidine, is a dissociative drug that can alter perception, thinking, coordination, behavior, and awareness. PCP addiction refers to a pattern of repeated PCP use in which a person has difficulty controlling use despite harmful consequences. In teens, PCP intoxication can cause dizziness, numbness, confusion, poor coordination, hallucinations, severe agitation, seizures, dangerously high body temperature, or loss of consciousness. Severe symptoms require immediate medical attention. [1][2]
Emergency warning: If a teen is difficult to wake, has trouble breathing, has a seizure, collapses, or becomes unresponsive after suspected drug use, call 911 immediately. Severe agitation, confusion, or overheating also require urgent medical assessment. [1][6]
What Are PCP Symptoms in Teens?
Signs of PCP intoxication in teens can include changes in perception, confusion, unusual agitation, impaired coordination, numbness, dizziness, hallucinations, paranoia, or disorganized thinking. Physical signs may include sweating, increased heart rate and blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, and abnormal eye movements.[1][2][4]
PCP is a synthetic dissociative drug that can alter perception and awareness. Its effects can be unpredictable, particularly when the substance is taken with other drugs or when the contents of an illicit product are uncertain.[1][2][5]
Symptoms alone cannot confirm PCP use. Other drugs, unknown substances, psychiatric conditions, and medical problems can cause similar changes in behavior, thinking, coordination, or consciousness.[1][2]
Common Signs of PCP Intoxication
| Category | Possible Signs |
|---|---|
| Behavioral | Agitation, aggression, unusual or unpredictable behavior |
| Psychological | Hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, confusion, altered perception |
| Neurological | Poor coordination, numbness, abnormal eye movements, impaired awareness |
| Physical | Sweating, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, increased body temperature, nausea or vomiting |
| Speech and movement | Slurred or garbled speech, difficulty moving, loss of balance |
Not every teen will experience every symptom. Symptoms can range from changes in perception and coordination to severe agitation, seizures, hyperthermia, impaired consciousness, or coma.[1][2]
When Do Teenagers Need Help With PCP?
A teen needs immediate emergency medical care if suspected PCP use is followed by a seizure, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, collapse, severe agitation or confusion, dangerously high body temperature, or rapidly worsening symptoms.[1][6]
Less severe symptoms, such as confusion, impaired coordination, numbness, dizziness, unusual behavior, hallucinations, paranoia, nausea, or vomiting, may still require medical assessment, particularly if the symptoms are persistent, worsening, or the substance taken is uncertain.[1][2][4]
A teen may also need ongoing professional help if PCP use is repeated or begins affecting school, relationships, behavior, physical or mental health, or daily functioning. Difficulty stopping or continuing to use PCP despite harmful consequences can warrant an adolescent-focused substance-use evaluation.[1][5]
What Should Parents Do If a Teen May Have Taken PCP?
If the teen has emergency symptoms, call 911 and follow the emergency dispatcher’s instructions.[6]
When it is safe to do so, an adult should stay with the teen and move immediate hazards away from them. Keep them away from traffic, heights, water, weapons, or other dangerous surroundings. Emergency responders should be told what substance is suspected and whether alcohol, medications, or other substances may also have been involved. [6]
If information about the substance or its packaging is available, provide it to medical professionals when possible. Illicit products may contain unexpected substances, so do not assume that the substance was definitely PCP. [5][6]
What Not to Do
A teen should not be given anything intended to counteract the drug or be made to vomit unless a healthcare professional specifically provides that instruction.[6]
Do not assume that a teen who becomes quieter is necessarily safe. Severe intoxication can involve impaired consciousness and other medical complications. If symptoms are serious or worsening, seek emergency care rather than waiting for them to pass.[1][6]
Can PCP Use Be Identified From Symptoms Alone?
No. Symptoms can suggest intoxication, but they cannot reliably identify PCP. [1][2]
Hallucinations, confusion, agitation, abnormal behavior, seizures, and changes in consciousness can have multiple causes. A teen may also have taken more than one substance.[1][2]
Healthcare professionals use the history, physical examination, clinical findings, and appropriate testing to evaluate suspected intoxication and identify potentially dangerous complications. The priority in an emergency is stabilizing the teen rather than proving which substance caused the symptoms.[1][2]
The purpose of recognizing these signs is not to diagnose PCP at home, but to identify when a teen may need urgent medical evaluation.[1][6]
PCP Symptoms vs. Other Possible Causes
| What You Notice | Why Professional Evaluation Matters |
|---|---|
| Hallucinations or paranoia | Can occur with PCP, other substances, or some medical and psychiatric conditions. |
| Severe agitation | May accompany intoxication, delirium, or another medical emergency. |
| Seizure | Requires emergency assessment regardless of the suspected cause. |
| Loss of consciousness | Can result from several potentially dangerous conditions. |
| Very high temperature | Can indicate a serious toxicologic or medical emergency. |
What Happens After a PCP-Related Emergency?
After stabilization, clinicians may evaluate for other substances, injuries, abnormal vital signs, seizures, hyperthermia, or other complications. They may also assess the teen’s mental status and determine whether follow-up care for recurring substance use or related mental-health concerns is needed.[1][5]
The evaluation may also help determine whether the episode was related to PCP, another substance, or a combination of substances. Follow-up recommendations depend on the teen’s symptoms, substance-use history, overall functioning, and safety needs.
Signs Your Teen May Need Ongoing Help for PCP or Other Substance Use
A single suspected episode does not automatically mean a teen has a substance use disorder. However, repeated use or continued problems can warrant professional evaluation.[1][5]
Warning signs can include:
- Repeated substance use despite harmful consequences
- Difficulty controlling or reducing use
- Problems at school, home, or in relationships
- Continued use despite physical or emotional problems
These patterns can indicate a need for professional assessment and support.
How Parents Can Respond After the Immediate Crisis
Parents can talk with a teen after the immediate medical or behavioral crisis has passed and the teen is stable enough to have a meaningful conversation.
The initial focus should be on what happened, whether the teen is safe, and whether additional medical, mental-health, or substance-use support is needed. Avoid assuming that unusual behavior proves PCP use. A professional evaluation can help clarify what happened and identify any ongoing risks. [5]
If substance use is recurring or affecting school, relationships, mood, judgment, or daily functioning, consider an adolescent-focused evaluation rather than waiting for another crisis.
How Clearfork Academy Can Help
PCP-related emergencies require immediate medical care and should not be delayed for behavioral health treatment or insurance verification.[6]
After the immediate crisis has passed, an adolescent-focused assessment can help determine whether recurring substance use or related mental-health concerns require treatment.
Clearfork Academy provides adolescent behavioral health treatment for teens experiencing substance-use and related mental-health concerns. Its programs include residential treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and virtual intensive outpatient (VIOP) care. The appropriate level of care depends on the teen’s clinical needs, safety, substance-use history, and need for structured supervision.
Clearfork Academy’s admissions team can help families verify insurance benefits and understand potential coverage and financial obligations. Coverage varies by plan, medical necessity, network status, authorization requirements, and level of care, and verification does not guarantee payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the most common PCP symptoms in teens?
Possible symptoms include altered perception, detachment, confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, poor coordination, numbness, unusual speech, sweating, increased heart rate and blood pressure, nausea, and abnormal eye movements. Severe intoxication can cause seizures, hyperthermia, impaired consciousness, and coma.[1][2][4]
Q. What are the warning signs of severe PCP intoxication?
Severe agitation, delirium, difficulty breathing, seizures, very high body temperature, collapse, unconsciousness, or an inability to respond normally are emergency warning signs. Call 911 rather than waiting for symptoms to resolve.[6]
Q. When should a parent call 911 if a teen may have used PCP?
Call 911 immediately if the teen is difficult to wake, has trouble breathing, has a seizure, becomes severely agitated or violent, is severely confused or delirious, develops a very high body temperature, collapses, or becomes unresponsive. [6]
Q. What should parents do if a teen may have used PCP but has no emergency symptoms?
If a teen may have been exposed to PCP but has no emergency symptoms, contact a healthcare professional or Poison Control for case-specific guidance. In the United States, Poison Control provides 24/7 guidance for suspected poison exposures.[6] If the teen collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or cannot be awakened, call 911 immediately.[6]
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Suspected PCP intoxication, especially with severe or worsening symptoms, requires evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional. In an emergency, call 911.
References:
- UpToDate. Phencyclidine (PCP) intoxication in children and adolescents. Updated April 30, 2026; literature review current through June 2026.
- Merck Manual Professional Edition. Ketamine and Phencyclidine (PCP). Updated January 2026.
- SAMHSA. Hallucinogens. Updated July 14, 2026.
- Nemours KidsHealth. PCP (for Teens). Medically reviewed by Steven Dowshen, MD.
- Partnership to End Addiction. What is PCP?
- Poison Control. Get help for a poisoning.
Mike Carter, LCDC
Alumni Relations Manager
Mike grew up on a dairy farm in Parker County, Texas. At the age of 59, he went back to college and graduated 41 years after his first graduation from Weatherford College. God placed on his heart at that time the passion to begin to help others as they walked from addictions, alcoholism, and abuse of substances. He is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and in the past few years he has worn many hats, from intake and assessment, group counseling, individual and family counseling, intensive outpatient and now he is working with clients, therapist, and families on discharge planning and aftercare. He also coordinates our Alumni Outreach Program.
