What is volatile substance abuse?
- VSA is the deliberate inhalation of any kind of volatile substance in order to become intoxicated. Volatile substances contain volatile hydrocarbons and give off fumes at room temperature, which are inhaled to give a short term intoxicating effect.
- Common names include ‘glue sniffing’ and ‘solvent abuse’.
- Many every day products can be abused. In the average household there are 30 products which can be abused, including hairspray, deodorants, turpentine, other aerosols, glues.
- Cigarette lighter refill gas (butane gas) is the most deadly product which can be easily purchased and abused. The results can be instantly fatal.
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Who does VSA affect?
- Young persons from all backgrounds. VSA is a hidden problem of which many adults are unaware.
- 1/5 of young teenagers are reported to have misused a volatile substance at some time.
- Young persons in particular misuse volatile substances, with the critical age being 12 – 18 year olds.
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Why misuse volatile substances?
- Curiosity.
- Boredom.
- To get a ‘high’ and escape from problems.
- Peer pressure to experiment.
- Group activity – products are easier to obtain and cheaper than illegal drugs or alcohol.
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What are the effects and signs of VSA?
- Drunken like behaviour – although this is short term.
- Hallucinations.
- Unusual mood swings, sores around the mouth or recurring headaches.
- Empty aerosol, butane or glue containers left lying around or hidden in a child’s room.
- A chemical smell on your child’s breath or clothing.
- Lack of interest at school or lack of concentration.
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How fatal can VSA be?
- VSA can be fatal and can cause death in a number of ways.
- Volatile substances can sensitise the heart to the effects of adrenaline causing it to beat irregularly and sometimes stop.
- Spraying directly into the mouth can cause inhibition of the vagus nerve at the back of the throat. This affects the heart rate, causing it to slow or stop.
- Use of plastic bags can cause suffocation.
- Misusers may become unconscious and choke on their own vomit.
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Fatal facts!
- 8 times more young people die from solvent abuse than from illegal drugs – In 1995 the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) reported that, ‘VSA is, for certain ages, a bigger killer than leukaemia, pneumonia and drowning combined, and that, for certain ages, it constitutes a significant proportion of all deaths’.
- It has been recorded that in a 4 year period, 273 people died as a result of VSA and in that same period 44 people died from taking Ecstasy.
- The first time can be fatal – in 39% of VSA deaths there was no evidence of previous solvent abuse.
- Prolonged use of solvents can result in brain, liver and kidney damage.
- Approximately 70 deaths occur throughout the U.K every year due to VSA, more than 50% of these are caused by the misuse of cigarette lighter refill gas.
- Cigarette lighter refill gas can be bought easily over the counter in most shops and costs only around £1. The current legislation states a person must be 18 to purchase this product, however it can still be easily obtained by children. This legislation is poorly enforced in Scotland at present.
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What can I do?
- DO NOT PANIC. Children normally try solvent abuse and do not enjoy it so give it up after the first try.
- It is important to be open with your children and talk to them and stress the real dangers. Most children are unaware how fatal volatile substance abuse can be.
- Try and understand why your child has misused these products, it may stem from personal or family problems.
- Ask for help, L.O.S.T is available for help or advice at any time. The family has experienced the loss of a son/brother due to VSA and offer help to anyone. All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality (01592 714501).
- Re-Solv is a national charity which deals with VSA and offers support or advice (0808 800 2345).
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