The letter P is commonly used in drug slang and code words to refer to various illicit substances. There are a few main meanings of P when it comes to drugs:
Methamphetamine
One of the most common meanings of P is methamphetamine, a powerful and highly addictive stimulant drug. The letter P is short for “meth,” “crank,” “ice,” or other slang terms for methamphetamine.
Methamphetamine goes by many street names, but some of the most common that start with P include:
- Puff
- Peanut
- Pookie
- Puddle
- Piggy
Meth is a manmade stimulant that can be smoked, snorted, injected, or taken orally. It creates a rapid, intense euphoric high along with increased energy, decreased appetite, and an enhanced sense of well-being.
However, meth is extremely addictive and prolonged abuse can have devastating effects on physical and mental health. Chronic use can cause severe dental problems, weight loss, skin sores, paranoia, hallucinations, and aggressive or violent behavior.
Phencyclidine
Another meaning of P in drug terminology is phencyclidine, also known as PCP or angel dust. PCP was originally developed as a surgical anesthetic but became a popular recreational drug in the 1960s and 70s.
Phencyclidine is known for inducing feelings of detachment and euphoria along with hallucinations and out-of-body experiences. However, it can also cause severe disorientation, agitation, paranoia, and violence.
Some slang terms for PCP that start with P include:
- Peace pill
- Peter
- Pernies
- P-dope
PCP can be found in powder, liquid, or pill form. It may be smoked, snorted, injected, or ingested. Use of PCP leads to psychological dependence and addiction in some individuals.
Psilocybin
In some cases, P refers to psilocybin or “magic mushrooms.” Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound found in certain types of mushrooms.
When ingested, psilocybin produces hallucinogenic and psychedelic effects including:
- Euphoria
- Sensory enhancement
- Spiritual experiences
- Synesthesia
- Altered sense of time
Psilocybin mushrooms are sometimes abbreviated as “shrooms” or referred to with P names like:
- Philosopher’s stones
- Magic pills
- Purple passion
While not as addictive as other drugs, psilocybin does carry risks like anxiety, panic attacks, psychosis, and the potential for accidents or self-harm due to disorientation.
Prescription Drugs
P can also be used as shorthand for certain prescription medications that are frequently misused or abused. Some examples include:
- Percocet – An opioid pain reliever containing oxycodone and acetaminophen
- Percs – Slang for Percocet pills
- Phenobarbital – A barbiturate prescribed for seizures and anxiety
- Preludin – Brand name for phenmetrazine, a stimulant
- Phenergan – A sedating antihistamine sometimes used recreationally
The recreational use of these medications can be dangerous due to risks like overdose, organ damage, or severe withdrawal symptoms in dependent individuals.
A Recap of What P Means in Drugs
To summarize, here are some of the main drug-related meanings of the letter P:
| Slang term starting with P | Full name of drug |
|---|---|
| Puff | Methamphetamine |
| Peter | Phencyclidine (PCP) |
| Purple passion | Psilocybin mushrooms |
| Percs | Percocet |
It’s important to be aware of these code words and slang terms, especially those associated with highly dangerous and addictive drugs like methamphetamine and PCP. Understanding street names for drugs can help identify potential drug abuse problems in teens and young adults.
The Origins of Using P for Drugs
Using the letter P in drug slang and terminology likely emerged from a few key factors:
- Privacy – Using coded language helps conceal illegal drug activity from parents, teachers, police, etc.
- Marketing – Nicknames make drugs sound harmless or more appealing to potential buyers.
- Chemistry – Many illicit drug compounds start with P, like psilocybin, PCP, or MDP2.
- Shortcut – A single letter is quicker and easier to use than long drug names.
No matter how it started, P is firmly entrenched in the vocabulary of illegal drug use and addiction. Knowledge of these terms is vital for those who may encounter them in anti-drug education or substance abuse counseling.
Commonly Abused P Drugs
While P has various drug-related meanings, there are a few specific substances that are especially associated with it due to widespread recreational use and abuse potential.
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is one of the most commonly abused P drugs. In addition to the street names mentioned earlier, meth may be referred to with coded language like:
- “Going fast”
- “Getting spun”
- “Chasing the white dragon”
Meth is cheap and easy to obtain, producing long-lasting euphoria and energy. However, it is highly addictive with a high potential for abuse and adverse effects.
Phencyclidine (PCP)
PCP is another very dangerous P drug. In addition to “angel dust,” it may be called:
- “Sherms”
- “Rocket fuel”
- “Zoom”
PCP is known for its often violent behavioral effects in users, leading to injuries, self-harm, and erratic or dangerous behavior. It can easily lead to overdose due to its unpredictable potency and effects.
Prescription Opioids
“Percs” (Percocet) and other prescription opioids like OxyContin, Vicodin, Opana, and Dilaudid are enormously popular drugs of abuse. These powerful pain pills carry a high risk of tolerance, addiction, and overdose.
P pills may be obtained illegally through drug dealers, stolen from medicine cabinets, or “doctor shopping” to get multiple prescriptions.
Dangers of P Drug Abuse
While some P drugs like psilocybin mushrooms may not carry as high of a risk as others, all illicit drug use has inherent dangers. Some of the risks associated with the most commonly abused P drugs include:
- Addiction – Many P drugs like meth, PCP, and prescription opioids are extremely habit-forming.
- Overdose – Taking too much of depressants like opioids or stimulants like meth can be fatal.
- Infectious disease – Sharing needles or other drug paraphernalia spreads HIV, hepatitis, and other infections.
- Mental effects – Drugs like PCP and meth are associated with aggressive behavior, psychosis, and suicidal or homicidal tendencies.
- Organ damage – The toxins in drugs can damage the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and brain.
For teens and young adults in particular, P drug abuse can be extremely harmful to physical and mental development. Some of the most significant dangers for adolescents include:
- Impaired memory, learning, and cognition
- Mood disorders like depression or anxiety
- Premature heart disease or stroke
- Growth suppression and hormone disruption
- Social and behavioral problems
Getting involved with meth, PCP, opiates, or other illicit P drugs at a young age makes addiction much more likely and can have permanent consequences.
Signs of P Drug Abuse
Being able to recognize the signs of P drug abuse can help parents, teachers, coworkers, and friends identify a potential problem and get the user needed help. Some physical and behavioral indicators of P drug use include:
- Very dilated or constricted pupils
- Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Skin sores, abscesses, or track marks from injection
- Agitation, anxiety, erratic behavior
- Paranoia, hallucinations, disorganized thoughts
- Aggressive outbursts or violence
- Withdrawal symptoms like fatigue, depression, or insomnia
- Possession of paraphernalia like pipes, needles, or small plastic bags
Teens using P drugs may also have troubling behavioral changes like declining academic performance, loss of interest in hobbies, suddenly secretive behavior, or new friend groups. Suspected P drug abuse should be addressed immediately through evidence-based addiction treatment programs.
Getting Treatment for P Drug Addiction
Overcoming addiction to any illicit P drug requires professional treatment tailored to the individual’s needs. Depending on the drug used and other factors, options can include:
- Inpatient rehab – Residential care with 24/7 medical monitoring, therapy, and activities in a controlled environment.
- Outpatient programs – Individual or group counseling sessions at a clinic several times a week.
- 12-step programs – Community-based peer support groups like Narcotics Anonymous.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – Identifying harmful thought and behavior patterns.
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) – Prescription medications to ease withdrawal, cravings, or drug effects.
A professional drug counselor can assess someone’s addiction severity and needs in order to create an integrated treatment approach. Long-term follow-up care and a strong sober support network are also vital to maintain abstinence from P drugs after rehab.
The Bottom Line
In the coded language of drug addiction and abuse, P has become ubiquitous shorthand for substances like methamphetamine, PCP, prescription opioids, and others. Understanding the terminology and slang used for these dangerous drugs can help identify warning signs of use in teens and young adults.
Professional treatment programs offer hope for overcoming dependency on illicit P drugs. With personalized therapy, medical care, peer support, and long-term follow up, even severe addiction can be overcome.