Solvent Abuse

Glue Sniffing

A potentially fatal form of substance abuse, more often practised by young male adolescents, in which model airplane glue—or, more recently, other volatiles—is placed in a paper or plastic bag and deeply sniffed in order to obtain the maximum desired effect—a combination of euphoria and CNS depression caused by toluene, an organic solvent
Epidemiology Male:female ratio is 5:1—UK; peak abuse age 13–15
Abused solvents Toluene, trichloroethylene, trichloroethane, tetrachloroethylene

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solvent abuse  

Substance abuse The recreational inhalation of chemical solvents in model glue, paint thinner, 'white-out', nail polish remover, etc for psychotropic effects Epidemiology Adolescents–up to 15% have experimented with solvents, especially from lower socioeconomic strata with less parental supervision; adolescents with Hx of SA are at ↑ risk for IV drug abuse Active ingredients Acetone, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, naphtha, toluene, xylene Clinical At low concentrations, solvents induce euphoria; at higher levels, tinnitus, diplopia, hallucinations, confusion ensue; further ↑ in serum levels are accompanied by incoordination, ataxia, slurred speech, hyperreflexia, nystagmus, unconsciousness; long term SA may cause hematopoietic–eg, aplastic anemia and liver disease–eg, hepatocellular necrosis, liver CA, renal tubule acidosis, pulmonary, and CNS dysfunction-which may cause cerebellar degeneration, cognitive impairment, dementia, distal sensory polyneuropathy, etc. See Gateway drugs, Soft drugs, White-out.