Solvents
Solvent abuse is traditionally referred as glue sniffing, which additionally includes, abuse of some aerosols, gases, paints etc. Solvent abusers can be male or female. Mostly the solvent abusers seen are between the ages of 11 to 16 and are usually males and which lead them at the door of death. This can be because of the differences in sniffing behavior.
Solvents can be sniffed or breathed into lungs. The most common method of using solvents is by inhaling them from a plastic bag that is placed over the face.
solvents can be present in many household products such as butane gas cigarette lighter refills, solvent based adhesives, liquefied domestic gas, deodorant aerosols, aerosol air fresheners, pain relief sprays, hairspray, petrol, some typewriter correction fluids, certain paints, dry cleaning agents, paint thinners & removers, petrol lighter fuel, some shoe & metal polish, nail varnish & varnish remover, and plaster remover.
Some users experiencing hallucinations also feels strong notification immediately. These effects are for small period, resulting in the habit of repeated abuse.
Effects of Solvents
- the effects last from 15-45 minutes
- solvents act as depressants
- afterwards users may seem drowsy, or suffer from headaches
- users may appear dreamy or dizzy, giggly, or hallucinate
- plastic bags or empty cans, etc
- mood swings
- chemical smells hanging on the breath or clothes
- runny nose or sore throats
- frequent or permanent headaches
- loss of appetite
- abuse of some glues results in spots around the mouth and eyes.
Near about half of the deaths have been taken place because of solvent sniffing. Abusing solvents can lead to fatal heart problems, vomiting, nausea, and black outs. Long term abuse can damage the brain, kidneys and liver. Also if solvents are abused by inhaling from the plastic bag over the head, then there may be the risk of suffocation.