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Location: United Kingdom
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 Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 12:54 pm Post subject: What effect do they have? |
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The effects of abusing inhalants such as solvents, glue and aerosols etc. resemble the effects of drinking alcohol. At low doses users may feel slightly stimulated - in a similar fashion to the alcohol user after, say two or three pints of beer. This is caused by depression of the higher brain centres, which produces an apparent stimulation by reducing anxiety and self-consciousness. An inhalant abuser may demonstrate increased self-confidence and loss of self restraint.
So inhalants can feel stimulating - but they're not - these effects are a result of the inhibition of normal brain activity.
At high doses, an inhalant abuser can lose consciousness as the brain activity that controls vital functions such as breathing and heartbeat becomes inhibited.
The effects of inhalants occur very quickly and disappear after a short time - say 15 to 30 minutes later. This means that an inhalant abuser is likely to keep repeating the inhalation in an attempt to maintain the 'high'. This can lead to near-continous use, with possible serious health risk or life-threatening consequences.
Inhalants cause distortion in perceptions of time and space. Many users experience headache, nausea or vomiting, slurred speech, loss of motor coordination and problems with breathing.
A characteristic 'glue sniffer's rash' around the nose and mouth is often seen on individuals who abuse inhalants. Clothes, skin and breath may smell of paint or solvents.
Nitrates
Sniffing nitrites makes the user light headed and giddy and produces a feeling of blood rushing to the head, a flush of warmth and heightened sensual awareness. These effects last only one minute or so at most. For this reason, Amyl and Butyl nitrites are regarded as 'party' or 'nightclub' drugs, rather than drugs of everyday abuse.
Some people get a bad headache after using nitrates. Repeated sniffing can cause the user to become dizzy or to possibly pass out. Some side effects include headaches, nausea, coughing and dizziness.
Consequences for health
There is no safe way of abusing inhalants. People have died at the first sniff, or after using them for some time.
Short-term
Sniffing solvents or aerosol sprays can cause heart failure and instant death. Sniffing can cause death the first time or any time. Inhalants can cause death from suffocation by displacing the oxygen in the lungs. Inhalants can also cause death by depressing the central nervous system so much that breathing slows down until it stops.
Death from inhalants usually results from sniffing a very high concentration of inhalant fumes - i.e. sniffing from a bag where the vapours have been allowed to collect. Deliberately inhaling from a paper bag greatly increases the chance of suffocation.
When a person is under the influence of inhalants, sudden exertion can cause a muscle spasm in the throat or heart. This can cause death.
Inhaling gases straight from aerosol cans may freeze the back of the throat causing death through suffocation. The gases may also be toxic. In 1995 abuse of volatile substances caused 68 deaths - of these, more than 40 were caused by abuse of gas lighter fuel refills.
Long-term
Long-term abuse of inhalants can cause weight loss, skin problems, bronchitis, muscle fatigue, memory impairment, mood swings and loss of concentration.
Repeated sniffing of strong vapors over a number of years can cause permanent damage to the nervous system. In addition, long-term abuse of certain inhalants can damage the liver, kidneys, blood, and bone marrow. Glue and paint thinner sniffing in particular produce kidney abnormalities, while the solvents toluene and trichloroethylene cause liver damage.
Tolerance, which means the sniffer needs more and more each time to get the same effect, is likely to develop from most inhalants when they are used regularly.
Legal Status
Amyl nitrite can only be issued by pharmacists, but it is not illegal to possess this drug.
Butyl nitrite and all other inhalants referred to above - such as glues, paint thinners, aerosols etc. are freely available for sale to adults. However, it is an offence to sell some substances which can be used for intoxication - such as solvents, glues etc. - to people under 18 years old in the UK.
Such bans apply to shopkeepers etc. and are intended to prevent young people buying products that can be abused as inhalants. They are not easy to enforce and in any case many of the substances that can be used for inhalant abuse are present in every home.
It is not an offence for any person - of any age - to possess inhalants.
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