Solvents
Drug: Solvents
Street names: Gas, Sniff, Toot, Squirt, Glue,
Aerosols, Petrol, Huffing
Similar drugs: Volatile substances (substances that
can evaporate), glue sniffing
Drug type: Solvents vary between being stimulating,
depressing and hallucinatory, It depends on the solvent being used,
the dose and individual user.
Legal status: Solvents are legal. However, it is
illegal for someone to sell substances that can evaporate to anyone
under the age of 18 years if they suspect it may be used for
intoxication.
What is it? Solvents include gases (butane), glues,
aerosols (anything in a can, including deodorants and furniture
polish), lighter fuel, varnishes and polishes, correction fluid,
cleaning products and petrol.
How it can make you feel: Inhaling solvents can
make you feel drowsy, dizzy and intoxicated, similar to being
drunk. They can also make you slur your speech and give you
hallucinations and/or a headache. They can make your heart rate
increase or give you an irregular heartbeat, and make you forgetful
and irritable.
You'll feel the effects of solvents almost immediately, but they
will only last about 20 minutes. You could get a 'hangover' after
using them.
The risks: Although legal, solvents are very risky
for both new and experienced users. Inhaling them can cause heart
failure or freezing of your windpipe so you can't breathe. You
could also have a fit and choke on your own vomit. You're more
likely to have an accident if you're high too, and this could
involve fire because solvents are highly flammable.
Solvents also cause skin sores, and long-term damage to your
brain, lungs, liver and kidneys.
Solvents image courtesy of Talk to Frank, Crown Copyright.
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