Treatments for Solvent Abuse

Solvent abuse is often referred to as inhalant abuse. This form of substance abuse can have devastating side effects but is not addictive in most cases. Since inhalant abuse is most common among teens, parents and school officials need to work together in promoting proper drug education about the dangers of this activity and recognizing the signs of solvent abuse.

Definition

• Solvent abuse consists of inhaling chemical solvents to cause mind-altering effects. Inhalant chemicals affect the brain much as alcohol does, with long-term use causing damage to the central nervous system. Inhalants also displace air in the lungs, depriving the body of oxygen. This condition, called hypoxia, is particularly harmful to brain cells.

Prevalence

• Solvent abuse is most prevalent among adolescents ages 12 through 17. Inhalant products are easier to obtain than other drugs, and many children may not be aware of the hazards involved because the chemicals abused are predominantly common household items. According to the Monitoring the Future 2008 survey published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 15.7 percent of the American eighth graders surveyed reported they had used inhalants at least once.

Inhalant Types

• The types of solvents subject to abuse by adolescents include volatile solvents, aerosols and gases. Volatile solvents are liquids that vaporize at room temperature, such as paint thinner, gasoline, lighter fluid, glue and marker fluid. Aerosols include spray paint, hair spray, aerosol computer-cleaning spray and cooking oil spray. Gases commonly inhaled are those found in butane lighters, propane tanks and whipped-cream aerosols or dispensers (nitrous oxide "whippets").

Indicators of Abuse

• Parents should look for the signs of solvent abuse, which include paint or other stains on the child's clothes, hands or face; hidden empty spray cans or chemical-soaked rags; chemical odors on the child's breath or clothing; a drunk or disoriented appearance; slurred speech; nausea; loss of appetite; lack of coordination; irritability; and depression. These symptoms could indicate that the child is using inhalants.

Warning

• Sniffing inhalants can lead to many irreversible health effects such as hearing loss, bone marrow damage, brain damage, limb spasms and death. Users may also suffer from kidney damage, which may or may not be reversible once the substance abuse is halted. Education is necessary to alert children to the serious dangers of using inhalants.

Treatment

• In most cases treatment consists of simply discontinuing the solvent abuse. Parents must monitor their children and watch closely for signs of recurrence of the abuse.