You've found that YOUR
CHILD is 'sniffing' solvents
Call the
National Information Line on
01785 810762
to find out what you can do next.
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm (excluding public holidays)
Solvent and volatile substance abuse (VSA) occurs
when someone deliberately breathes in the fumes from ordinary household
products like cigarette lighter refills, glue, petrol and other products,
to get "high". In the average home there are over
30 abusable products.
The abuse of solvents tends to take place at an earlier age than
other illegal drugs. Research has found that children below the age
of 13 are more likely to use volatile substances than any illegal
drug. Talking with your child about solvents is one of the ways that
parents can try to prevent abuse taking place. Try to discuss the
dangers in an open and relaxed way choosing a good time to talk. It
is important to listen to your child carefully and also try to establish
a clear family position on drugs with them.
This video, featuring Nicollette Nicole
and Re-Solv's ex-Director Warren Hawksley, has recently been added
to the NHS Choices
website. Nicollette talks further about the death of her son Steven
Blacker in Re-Solv's DVD 'The Silent Killer.'
Anyone experimenting with volatile substances is at risk from sudden
death. Death may happen at the first attempt or following
many attempts and is caused by:
Heart failure - the heart becomes oversensitive to adrenaline
and beats ineffectively. There is an extra danger if sniffing is
followed by exertion or over excitement.
Choking on vomit.
Accidents when 'high' or hallucinating. Risk of burns or explosions
as many of these products are highly flammable.
Drugs or alcohol may interact with the solvents and could increase
the risks.
There can be over 30 abusable products in the home, with many parents
unaware of the danger. Statistics show that most incidents of abuse
occur in the home or the home of a friend.
Sniffing can also damage your sight, hearing, nervous system and
organs such as lungs, kidneys and liver.
A change in behaviour doesn't necessarily mean that
a young person is abusing solvents, a lot of the signs and symptoms
can also be factors in normal adolescence. Below are some of the
things to look out for:
Suddenly mixing with a new group of friends, especially
if they hang out in secluded places.
Moods swings or a deterioration in attitude or
behaviour, to a greater extent than normal.
Altered sleep pattern - difficulty in getting
out of bed.
Possible changes in appetite.
A persistently runny nose or eye irritations.
Sometimes rashes and pimples around the nose and mouth, but these
occur only with the use of specific products and can be confused
with teenage acne.
Don't panic. Most young people who try 'sniffing'
and only a minority do, don't enjoy it and give up after a few times.
Most young people don't realize how dangerous
VSA is and may need reminding about the possible dangers.
It is important to realize that young people
who abuse solvents may be trying to block out other problems.
Try to talk with your child to see if anything is troubling them.
If possible, take your child to see a doctor
for a general health check.
There are many possible reasons
behind solvent abuse, an understanding of these may help you and your
child overcome 'sniffing' problems.
Experimentation - VSA can
satisfy a youthful need to experiment.
Peer pressure - The power of peer
pressure can often be underestimated during the teenage years, which
are a time of self-discovery and personal growth. The pressure to
be popular can make it difficult to resist friends' persuasion,
even when there are dangers, and taking risks can seem an easy way
to impress friends.
Medical or psychological factors -
Sniffing may arise as a symptom of another problem, rather than
the cause. It can be a means of avoidance. A 'sniffing' problem
may stop when other problems are confronted and help sought.
Accessibility -
Volatile substances can appear an attractive alternative to drugs
as they are cheap and easy to buy or steal, and many are freely
available in the home.
Boredom -
Sniffing can satisfy a need for new, exciting and cheap social activities.
To shock -
The power to shock adults can be a means of asserting one's individuality
during a typical period of conflict between parent and child.
Social activity -
Young people may see sniffing as comparable to their parents having
a social drink at the pub.