Drugs A to Z

Solvents – Gasses, Glues and Aerosols

What are they?

Solvents cover a wide range of substances, including lighter fluid, gas refills, hairspray, aerosol deodorants and air fresheners, glue in tins or tubes, correcting fluid, cleaning fluids, surgical spirit and petroleum products. They are inhaled or sniffed using a cloth, sleeve and a plastic bag. The plastic bag is put over the face to inhale the substance and some people squirt gas products directly into the back of the throat.

What are the effects?

• Solvents have similar effects to alcohol. They can make you feel uninhibited and dizzy.
• Solvents can give you the giggles, and you might not think straight.
• The feelings don’t last that long.
• Effects differ, depending on what is being inhaled.
• Some solvents can make you hallucinate.
• Afterwards you can get a hangover and get headaches.
• You can feel tired after a hit.
• You can get bad skin from some solvents in the form of a rash around the mouth.
• You can become psychologically dependent.
• They can make you vomit and blackout.

What are the risks?

• It can be fatal, and some people have been killed the first time they use.
• Long term use can damage the brain and give you liver and kidney problems.
• Squirting gases down your throat can cause your throat to swell, so you can’t breath.
• If you use a plastic bag, you can suffocate.
• It's hard to use the right amount to get the effect that you want, and too much can result in coma.
• If you use solvents with alcohol, you greatly increase your chance of dying.

How much do they cost?

The cost varies, depending of what you buy, but can be as little as a couple of quid.

The Law

It isn’t illegal to buy solvents, but since October 1999 it is an offence to supply gas lighter refills to anyone under the age of 18. It is illegal for shopkeepers to sell any intoxicating substances to you, if they think you are likely to inhale them.

The Law

Staying Safe

1. Do not use solvents on your own.
2. Know first aid to help others if they lose consciousness.
3. One person should not use and should stay sober to mind the others.
4. If using a ‘glue bag’ use a small one and do not place it over the head.
5. Glue is probably less harmful than aerosols in most cases.
6. If using aerosols do not squirt straight down the throat. (Squirt into a bag, onto a rag or up the sleeve.)
7. Avoid using in dangerous environments where accidents are most likely (train tracks, roads, canal/river banks, derelict buildings, near busy main roads etc)
8. Don’t light cigarettes in a confined space if solvents have or are being used.