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Inhalants
Inhalant abuse is common all over the world. Inhalants and solvents cover a wide range of substances such as glue, petrol, paint, lighter fuel, aerosol and amyl nitrite just to name a few.
In the UK, glue sniffing became popular among young people during the punk era of the late 1970s.
Some inhalants, such as nitrous oxide, are used medically, but the vast majority of these are ordinary chemical based substances that are used for all types of reasons, domestically and industrially.
Despite being commonly taken nasally, drugs such as cocaine and amphetamine are not classed as inhalants. Inhalants are classified either by their chemical structure, the effect on the human system or by their intended use. Classes include petroleum and other gas products such as lighter fuel which are known as aliphatic hydrocarbons, tuolene and xylene, known as aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones such as acetone (nail varnish remover), haloalkanes such as aerosols and nitrites such as nitrous oxide and amyl nitrite-poppers, usually incorrectly known as amyl nitrate.
The majority of solvent and inhalant abusers tend to be children and teenagers. In some countries it is associated with street kids. The effects of different inhalants vary widely depending on the variety used, therefore it is impossible to pin down a common denominator, but generally a person under the influence of inhalants may experience effects similar to alcohol, though more intensely. They may hallucinate and/or experience strange out of body sensations. Time and space distortion is common. Whichever inhalant is used, users usually end up with a headache at the very least.
Like all drugs, the risk of an accident whilst intoxicated is a strong possibility, though this is only a secondary concern as inhalants have their own dangers including asphyxiation-many glue sniffers have suffocated on the bag they use, or inhaled their own vomit.
Many solvents, including butane (lighter fuel) tend to cool rapidly within the human body, sometimes causing instant death due to oxygen displacement causing cardiac arrest. Some gases can cause frostbite if inhaled directly from the can, and many expand and cool rapidly, causing damage to internal organs such as the lungs, heart and liver.
Inhalants such as benzene have the added risk of poisonous additives. In countries where leaded petrol is still available, lead poisoning is a high risk. Other risks include damage to bone marrow, burns and brain damage.
In the UK, it is illegal to sell solvents or other dangerous chemicals to under 18s. As substances are easy to come across virtually anywhere however, this law is as ineffective as the age limit for buying cigarettes. It is designed to protect retailers more than the consumer.
In the UK, glue sniffing became popular among young people during the punk era of the late 1970s.
Some inhalants, such as nitrous oxide, are used medically, but the vast majority of these are ordinary chemical based substances that are used for all types of reasons, domestically and industrially.
Despite being commonly taken nasally, drugs such as cocaine and amphetamine are not classed as inhalants. Inhalants are classified either by their chemical structure, the effect on the human system or by their intended use. Classes include petroleum and other gas products such as lighter fuel which are known as aliphatic hydrocarbons, tuolene and xylene, known as aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones such as acetone (nail varnish remover), haloalkanes such as aerosols and nitrites such as nitrous oxide and amyl nitrite-poppers, usually incorrectly known as amyl nitrate.
The majority of solvent and inhalant abusers tend to be children and teenagers. In some countries it is associated with street kids. The effects of different inhalants vary widely depending on the variety used, therefore it is impossible to pin down a common denominator, but generally a person under the influence of inhalants may experience effects similar to alcohol, though more intensely. They may hallucinate and/or experience strange out of body sensations. Time and space distortion is common. Whichever inhalant is used, users usually end up with a headache at the very least.
Like all drugs, the risk of an accident whilst intoxicated is a strong possibility, though this is only a secondary concern as inhalants have their own dangers including asphyxiation-many glue sniffers have suffocated on the bag they use, or inhaled their own vomit.
Many solvents, including butane (lighter fuel) tend to cool rapidly within the human body, sometimes causing instant death due to oxygen displacement causing cardiac arrest. Some gases can cause frostbite if inhaled directly from the can, and many expand and cool rapidly, causing damage to internal organs such as the lungs, heart and liver.
Inhalants such as benzene have the added risk of poisonous additives. In countries where leaded petrol is still available, lead poisoning is a high risk. Other risks include damage to bone marrow, burns and brain damage.
In the UK, it is illegal to sell solvents or other dangerous chemicals to under 18s. As substances are easy to come across virtually anywhere however, this law is as ineffective as the age limit for buying cigarettes. It is designed to protect retailers more than the consumer.