Solvents / Volatile Substances:
What are solvents?
Volatile substances include the gases butane and propane, which occur in gas lighters and refills, hairsprays and deodorant aerosols, some air fresheners and whipping creams, refrigerant gases, glue in tins or tubes, some paint, thinners and correcting fluids and many other household products
- Users inhale vapours to get ‘high’ . The substance is sniffed or breathed into the lungs from a cloth, a sleeve or a plastic bag. The inhaled vapours are absorbed through the lungs and pass rapidly to the brain, which together with the lower oxygen intake induces the effects
- The principal method of abusing fuel gases (mainly butane lighter refills) is by discharging them directly into the mouth. Most glues are abused by inhalation of the fumes/vapours from plastic bags
- On average, gases, aerosols and glue kill about six people a month
The law
- It is illegal (Intoxicating Substance Supply Act 1985) for shopkeepers to sell to under-18s or to people acting for them if they suspect the product is for abuse
- It is also an offence to sell butane gas lighter refills to anyone under 18 (Cigarette Lighter Refill Safety Regulations 1999)
- Solvents count as drugs in relation to being in charge of a vehicle while under the influence.
- Solvents count as drugs in relation to being in charge of a vehicle while under the influence. See also: ( Drugs and driving fact sheet.)
Effects
- Initial euphoria and lowering of inhibitions followed by disorientation , blurred vision, dizziness, slurred speech and drowsiness
- Users feel thick-headed, dizzy, giggly and dreamy, and may hallucinate
- Respiratory and heart rates and other body functions are depressed
- Effects are short-lived but users can remain intoxicated all day by repeating the dose
- Overdosing by repeated deep inhalations deepens disorientation, increases loss of control and causes unconsciousness. The user is often drowsy and experiences a mild hangover
- Users suffer from nausea, vomiting, blackouts and can choke on their own vomit
Purity
- There are all sorts of chemicals in Volatile substances
Risks
- Risk of fatal heart problems which have been known to kill users the very first time they sniff.
- Suffocation from bags or ‘freezing’ at the back of the throat with sprays
- Accidents through high levels of intoxication. Abuse often occurs in isolated or high-risk places such as buildings or demolition sites, canals and riverbanks, or near railway lines
- Long term abuse over (10 years ) can lead to lasting brain damage. Chronic abuse can permanently damage the liver and kidneys
Dependence and treatment
- Tolerance develops in regular users, leading to more use. Significant withdrawal symptoms have been reported but physical dependence is not recognised. There have been cases of psychological dependence
- Medical treatments are restricted to counselling and other ‘talking therapies’.
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