Solvents - The Signs, The Dangers, What to do

What is solvent sniffing?

Solvent sniffing usually means getting 'high' by breathing in the fumes from butane, aerosols, glues or other products found around most people's houses or which are easily available from shops. The most common term for this is 'glue sniffing', but there are many other products that can be sniffed:

• butane gas (in cigarette lighters and refill canisters. Butane is also used as a propellant in many aerosols)
• aerosol sprays (virtually any aerosol may be used; hairsprays and pain-relieving sprays are common)
• solvent-based glues (such as Evo-Stik)
• correcting fluids (such as Tipp-Ex)
• dry-cleaning fluids
• the contents of some types of fire extinguishers
• thinners
• petrol

In the average home there are over thirty sniffable products.

How many young people sniff?

Only a small number of children try sniffing, and most will only experiment; they won't sniff for very long. But a few may become heavy and frequent solvent misusers. The number of youngsters sniffing varies from place to place and at different times. It's just more obvious in the long summer evenings. Sniffing will vary from area to area. It can be quite a craze in a neighbourhood for a while and then almost disappear.

Who sniffs?

It can be anyone. Children from any social class and from 'good' homes may try sniffing. This does not necessary mean that their parents have failed or brought them up badly. It's more likely to be one of the 'disobedient' and sometimes risky things that youngsters do. The peak age for experimenting is around 13 0r 14 years. Girls sniff too, although perhaps a slightly smaller proportion than boys.

How do they do it?

Because there is such a wide range of substances there are many ways they can be misused. Butane gas and aerosols may be sniffed from bags, but are sometimes sprayed directly into the mouth. Glue is generally sniffed from bags, often freezer or crisp bags. Sniffing is not really the right word because the vapours are inhaled through the nose and mouth; some users call it 'huffing'. There are other methods as well. Thinners such as Tipp-Ex may be sniffed from a cloth or a coat sleeve. Some may put their heads inside a plastic bag.

Where do they do it?

Sniffable products are widely available and they are portable. So people can sniff while walking around, they can sniff in school or anywhere around their home. They may sniff in bed, using the bedcovers as a tent to contain the fumes. Some solvent misusers may absorb the product onto a rag (which they carry in their pocket) or onto a piece of their clothing. Some may go to out of the way places to sniff which can add to the dangers.

What are the effects?

The effects of sniffing are similar to being drunk on alcohol. But people get the effects more quickly from sniffing because the substances enter the blood stream from the lungs instead of the stomach. This can take new users by surprise, they become intoxicated before they realise it. But the effects of sniffing wear off quickly too. To keep 'high' it is necessary to keep sniffing, so if the solvent is taken away, the sniffer will soon 'sober up'.

What are the dangers?

Sniffing these substances can be lethal or cause long term damage.

• sniffing can have an effect on the heart, so if it is followed by exertion or fright, death may result
• if butane gas or aerosols are sprayed directlyinto the mouth, they may cool the throat tissues causing swelling and perhaps suffocation
• most sniffable products are a mixture of chemicals and the manufactures may change their formulation. This makes it hard to access the dangers of particular products
• some solvents contain poisonous substances such as lead in some petrol or n-hexane in some glues
• since many of these products are inflammable there is a fire risk, especially when youngsters combine sniffing and smoking
• using solvents with other drugs, like alcohol, may add to the dangers
• getting intoxicated is always potentially dangerous: people may become more reckless than usual and be less able to deal with danger
• young and inexperienced users run greater risks
• some youngsters have died at their first sniffing session
• some solvent misusers may do bizarre and possibly dangerous things in response to their 'hallucinations'
• if solvent misusers use large plastic, they may suffocate themselves
• if solvent misusers become unconscious they may choke on their own vomit
• some solvent misusers sniff on their own in isolated places. If they have problems, help is not at hand
• some people are more vulnerable than others to the harmful effects of solvents and may suffer lasting damage.

Why do they do it?

Young people have their reasons for misusing solvents. Adults won't get very far trying to help someone unless they find out what their reasons are.

For some young people, sniffing is a pleasurable activity. When asked if his first sniff made hime feel sick, Jim had this to say: "No, it's something I enjoyed and I wanted to do more. When I first started to smoke a cigarette, I felt ill but I kept on because everyone else was doing it, but with sniffing glue when I first tried it I enjoyed it, it's something I did enjoy, that's the reason why I started anyway." Sean added: "Yeah, when we're on it we have a great laugh like."

Here are some other reasons why young people sniff:

• solvents can be an alternative to school
• some young people like the excitement of sniffing solvents, perhaps partly because of the element of danger
• if adults are shocked by sniffing, that can be an attraction
• for some young people there is the attraction of playing witrh a new physical sensation
• solvents are cheap and easy to buy or steal
• hallucinations when sniffing can be interesting and exciting
• hallucinations can also be dangerous, unpleasant and frightening, but even these can be enjoyable and allow youngsters to 'escape', if only temporarily and only in their imagination.

Why do they carry on sniffing?

A few sniffers may use solvents in an attempt to blot out problems that they already have. Use of solvents may temporarily disguise their problems but will generally make things worse. But it doesn't seem like that to them at the time. Adults can help by getting misusers to see that solvents won't solve their problems. Until they accept this they're not likely to stop.

Sometimes, sniffing may be a reaction to problems in the family. For example, Kathy (aged 14) started sniffing and although she was a very bright girl, she couldn't explain why her father wanted her to go to University and get a good degree, but she wanted to become a photographer. Her sniffing was a challenge to her father's expectations for her. It was also an escape from the pressure he was putting on her.

Sean (aged 12) seemed to be sniffing to relieve the tension he felt because his parents marriage was breaking up. He felt responsible for their separation and he knew that when he had had problems in the past, his parents had stopped arguing so much and pulled together to help him.

Can you recognise a sniffer?

There are no clear-cut signs