Female PCP-using jail detainees: proneness to violence and gender differences

Previous studies indicate that PCP users have different characteristics from other drug users and that female PCP use is more common than use among males. Furthermore, there is evidence that those who respond to PCP with violence may differ from those who do not. This study attempted to examine comprehensively the psychological, behavioral, and background factors among female jail inmates that may contribute to a PCP preference and subjects' perception of various behavioral states while using PCP. Female PCP users were further examined relative to male PCP users to differentiate them on the basis of these perceptual factors. A distinction was further made between females and males prone to PCP-induced violence and those who do not become violent with respect to the above psychological and behavioral measures. Our results showed differences between male and female PCP users that are discrepant with the assumption that men and women perceive similar drug-related experiences. In particular, female PCP using subjects reported more dysphoria and aggressiveness when not using PCP, while male subjects were more likely to report aggressive behavior and dysphoria under the influence. Overall, these results suggest that males who prefer PCP may be self-stimulating and females who prefer PCP may be attempting to self-medicate.