Founded in 1984, Re-Solv works to reduce the harms caused by volatile substance abuse (‘VSA’ or ‘solvent abuse’) and the misuse of other legal substances across the UK.
We achieve this by:
- Keeping this ever-present and changing form of legal substance misuse in the forefront of policy and public awareness
- Continuing to drive prevention through education and training
- Providing support for the individuals, families and communities affected.
We are primarily supported by statutory, grant and trust funding.
VSA (known as ‘solvent abuse’)
Known colloquially as ‘solvent abuse’, volatile substance abuse or ‘VSA’ is the deliberate inhalation of volatile compounds to produce psychoactive effects (EMCDDA). These volatile compounds include gases such as butane and nitrous oxide, petrol, solvents and some glues. They are found quite legitimately in everyday products found in all our homes and high streets.
Volatile substance abuse can kill instantly and there is no ‘safe’ way of doing it that avoids this risk. Learn why.
Support and recovery
With over thirty years’ experience and dedication to the prevention of VSA, Re-Solv is acknowledged as the UK’s lead body in the field and runs ‘Community for Recovery’, the national support network for VSA.
Education and Prevention
Re-Solv works with local communities on prevention programmes. We also deliver school sessions on VSA (‘solvent abuse’) and other teen drugs, and can provide teacher training sessions on VSA for inset days.
Please visit our Education & Prevention pages for more information.
Training
Re-Solv provides bespoke training on VSA for professionals, peer mentors, volunteers and those in recovery across the UK. We also run workshops and awareness-building sessions for service user groups. Find out more on our Training page.
Advocacy
Re-Solv acts as Secretariat to the All Party Parliamentary Group on NPS and VSA. Find out more about our advocacy here.
Resources
Re-Solv has a range of resources for young people, parents, schools, professionals and those who may be using volatile substances. Please visit our Resources page for more details.
