How can solvent abuse kill you

The effects of inhalants usually last only a few minutes, unless a person keeps inhaling over and over. At first, inhalants have a stimulating effect. A person may feel dazed, dizzy and have trouble walking. Inhaling can cause headaches, nausea and vomiting. Users can be moody and aggressive or think that they see things that are not there.

Stronger chemicals or repeated inhaling can cause people to pass out. Over time, inhalants can cause serious and permanent damage to vital organs like the brain, kidneys, heart and liver.

Inhalants exit the body mainly through exhaling. Someone who is using inhalants often has breath that smells like chemicals. Inhalants also pass out of the body through urine.

It can take as long as two weeks for the body to get rid of all the chemicals. Last updated: November Many young people who experiment with volatile substances do so out of curiosity. Others may be copying older peers or trying to be part of a group. Some might want to shock parents or carers. Stress, anxiety, bereavement, loneliness etc.

Some people might use volatile substances alongside other drugs or as a substitute if a preferred drug is unobtainable. They need more to keep achieving the same effects. This is worrying because it may lead to dependence a feeling that you cannot do without the substance and even psychological addiction.

A young person experimenting with these substances is not likely to develop such problems in the short term. Please visit our page on Symptoms and risks of solvent abuse for more information.

The most commonly misused products are butane gas cigarette lighter refills, aerosols commonly deodorants and petrol. There are laws restricting the sale of some products to young people. Anyone experimenting with volatile substances is at risk of sudden death. Death may occur at the first attempt or following many attempts — it can happen at any time.

For advice on what to do in an emergency situation please see our Solvent Abuse Help page. Company Registered No. Registered Charity No. All information on this site that has been through the Information Standard system is marked with the Information Standard logo.

Thanks for visiting re-solv. Do you feel your visit to our Re-solv website helped you today? Toggle navigation. It seems like a very unsafe world, and it is important that you should know the warning signs and behaviours to watch for. Take the time to educate yourself and your teens. Keeping an eye out and establishing a strong support system will help prevent this.

Trained in addictionology in the Johnson Model, and specializing in substance abuse for individual and couple counselling. John's personal experience has given him a wealth of insights, which he integrates into practice.

His extensive training has allowed him to gain expertise in individual and group counselling, concurrent disorders, case management, executing treatment plans and relapse prevention. He started this free helpline as a result of a life change and to help others get sober and live a life free from drugs and alcohol. John covers a variety of topics relating to addiction and recovery in his articles. You can contact us by completing our form below and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly.

Please leave this field empty. Nicotine Addiction. What Are Poppers? Side Effects Of Steroids. Solvents Inhalants Home Solvents Inhalants. Contact us today for free advice on London: London: Aberdeen: Aberdeen: Glasgow : Glasgow : Article author. Recent News. Tasty THC… September 6, Alcohol Abuse… August 23, Alcohol and… February 5,