Solvents abuse
Solvent abuse involves the inhalation of volatile organic compounds, commonly found in household and commercial products like paints, glues, and cleaning agents, to achieve mind-altering effects. Often considered a first substance misused by young people due to their accessibility and low cost, solvents act as central nervous system depressants, akin to alcohol. The practice has historical roots, having been used for both medicinal and recreational purposes for centuries, with a notable rise in misuse observed in the mid-twentieth century among American youth. While legal, there are restrictions on sales to minors in many regions to mitigate risks associated with inhalation practices.
The immediate effects of solvent inhalation can include euphoria and loss of inhibition, but these are swiftly followed by negative consequences such as nausea, dizziness, and impaired judgment. Long-term use poses severe health risks, including brain damage, respiratory issues, and even potential death from overdose. Furthermore, solvent abuse can lead to psychological dependence and withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. The issue remains particularly concerning in impoverished communities, where it may serve as a coping mechanism for pain and hardship. Overall, while solvent use is less prevalent than some other substance abuses, it poses significant health dangers, especially among adolescents.
Subject Terms
Solvents abuse
ALSO KNOWN AS: Inhalants; volatile organic compounds
DEFINITION: Solvents are volatile organic liquids that readily dissolve other substances. When inhaled, solvents can act as central nervous system depressants similar to alcohol and anesthetics. Solvents are typically the first psychoactive substances misused by young people for mind-altering and recreational purposes because they are easily obtainable and relatively inexpensive.
STATUS: Legal in the United States and worldwide; restrictions on the sale of solvents to minors
CLASSIFICATION: Nonscheduled status
SOURCE: Household and commercial chemicals such as toluene, benzene, chloroform, coolants, paints, glues, gases, petroleum products, nail polish remover, oven cleaner, other cleaning fluids and sprays
TRANSMISSION ROUTE: Inhaled through the nose and mouth from the container (sniffing or snorting), sniffed from inside a plastic or paper bag (bagging), put on a rag before sniffing (huffing), or sprayed directly into the mouth (spraying)
History of Use
Experimentation with solvent inhalation originated hundreds of years ago for medicinal and recreational purposes. During the nineteenth century, anesthetics such as chloroform, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and ether were commonly inhaled at “sniffing parties” to achieve intoxication.
Solvents encompass a broad range of poisonous chemicals that were never meant for human consumption. Solvent inhalation is a dangerous and highly toxic method of intoxication. For many users, solvents are considered a gateway drug that leads to illicit drug and alcohol abuse.
Modern-day solvent misuse began among young Americans in the mid-twentieth century with the sniffing of gasoline fumes and glue containing toluene. By the 1970s, inhalant abusers began using more dangerous products, such as aerosols, propellants, and coolants. During this time, the euphoric effects of solvent intoxication were fully recognized. Solvent abuse became a social activity among young people at “sniffing dens.” By the 1980s, the incidence of volatile solvent misuse increased substantially.
The widespread misuse of solvents prompted the English government to pass the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act in 1985. This law restricted the sale of solvents for inhalation to minors under the age of eighteen years. Some US states have enacted similar laws restricting the sale of solvents to minors. Most solvents are not considered controlled substances because of their legitimate everyday uses.
Solvent inhalation remains a serious issue among young people. It is especially prevalent among impoverished children and people in developing nations. In South America, solvents are sometimes considered the drugs of very low-income people, used by a significant number of young children to dull pain and hunger. In the United States, less than 1 percent of the population uses solvent inhalation. Still, around 3.5 percent of children in eighth grade and 2.5 percent of children in tenth grade engage in inhaling this type of drug.
Effects and Potential Risks
Solvent vapors are inhaled and quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and passed to the brain. The effects of solvent inhalation are rapid and short-lived. Solvent inhalation produces effects similar to those of alcohol and anesthetics by depressing the central nervous system. These chemicals act by stimulating the release and binding of gamma-aminobutyric acid, a natural nerve-calming agent, to receptors in the brain. This effect causes activity in the brain to slow, inducing sleep, reducing anxiety, and relaxing muscles.
The short-term effects of solvent inhalation resemble alcohol intoxication. Solvent inhalation rapidly produces a surge of euphoria, exhilaration, power, and loss of inhibition. Once the brief high subsides, the chemicals act like depressants, slowing bodily functions. This causes the user to feel depressed, tired, and physically ill—symptoms similar to those of a hangover. Users frequently mix solvents with other psychoactive substances or repeatedly inhale solvents to extend the intoxication.
Negative short-term effects of solvent use include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, flushing, abdominal cramps, tinnitus, coughing, sneezing, increased salivation, slurred speech, blurred vision, loss of coordination, forgetfulness, confusion, fatigue, muscle weakness, chest pain, impaired judgment, inhalant intoxication delirium, agitation, delusions, lightheadedness, and hallucinations. Long-term solvent abuse can be associated with oral ulcerations, muscle spasms, numbness, memory loss, irritability, hostility, lethargy, severe depression, anxiety, paranoia, anorexia, neurocognitive disorders, inhalant-induced psychotic disorder, and depressed respiration.
Serious medical complications associated with solvent use include fatal overdose, accidental injury, hearing and vision loss, bronchitis, temporary unconsciousness, coma, brain damage, kidney and liver complications, neurological impairment, cardiac arrhythmia, and heart failure. Excessive solvent exposure may result in an increased risk of cancer and in pregnant women, embryonic congenial abnormalities from carcinogenic and teratogenic properties. Sniffing high-solvent concentrations may be life-threatening and result in unconsciousness and instant death, known as sudden sniffing death.
Some users may become psychologically dependent on solvents to compensate for personal problems. Suddenly stopping solvent use may induce symptoms similar to those of alcohol withdrawal. These symptoms include headaches, chills, shaking, muscle spasms, abdominal pain, and hallucinations.
Bibliography
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