Volatile substances

Basic Characteristic

Volatiles are chemicals that users sniff-inhale. The entire group of these addictive substances can be found in ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases 10th revision) under the designation F18 - as volatile substances. However, they are also commonly referred to as volatile and inhalable substances (inhalants). Among the most frequently abused substances we can include some "thinners, glues and solvents" (e.g. toluene), but also "gaseous substances" (e.g. ether and nitrous oxide).

Health consequences

After inhalation of all these substances, there is a quick intoxication and a subsequent effect on the CNS, accompanied by states of euphoria and often depression. Visual and auditory hallucinations may also occur.

Individual inhalation drugs

Toluene

Toluene is the most abused substance in the Czech Republic, it is freely available and relatively cheap. Most often, its vapors are inhaled from impregnated fabrics (a few milliliters are enough for the desired effect). Alternatively, toluene is inhaled directly from the bottles. It is a colorless liquid that is derived from petroleum, oils or coke gases. Chemically, we classify toluene in the group of aromatic hydrocarbons. It is commonly used as a solvent and paint thinner.

Trichlorethylene

It is an inhalation drug that is often abused by workers in industrial workplaces. Otherwise, it is commonly used as a solvent. Auditory or visual hallucinations may occur when trichlorethylene is inhaled.

Acetone

Acetone (also propanone or dimethyl ketone) is one of the less frequently used inhalation drugs in the Czech Republic. Nevertheless, this multi-faceted solvent is becoming an object of interest to the people who work with it.

Ether

Ether (diethyl ether) is a solvent for fats and oils. It was originally used as a narcotic, with which its abuse was also associated.

Gasoline

Gasoline is a volatile substance that is commonly used as a fuel. Chemically, it is a mixture of higher hydrocarbons.

Paradise Gas

It is another of the representatives of volatile substances, which after mixing with oxygen and subsequent inhalation produces an intoxicating, painless state. Users inhale the substance, for example, from inflatable balloons or pressure bottles for making whipped cream. A major health risk is that, due to the rapid evaporation of paradise gas, burn from frostbite in the respiratory tract may occur. In practice, paradise gas is mainly used as a means of short-term anesthesia.

Treatment

It is important not to underestimate the treatment of addiction to volatile substances and to pay it the same care and attention as with other groups of addictive substances (e.g. alcohol). The patient's cooperation with the medical facility is necessary for the end of use. It is best if the family and school work together. Individual [[psychotherapy|psychotherapy] is an effective method for experimenting patients (often children and adolescents). Monitoring and cooperation over a period of several years is also recommended. For heavily addicted patients (mostly adults), the treatment is more complicated, as they are so affected by the use that they are no longer able to perceive their surroundings, admit the consequences of use and often refuse to go to medical facilities. Unfortunately, for this group of users, the prospects of achieving abstinence are much smaller than for experimental and timely registered patients, and some cases may end in disability or death

Links

References

• KALINA, Kamil. Drugs and drug addictions 1 :  interdisciplinary approach. 1. edition. Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, 2003. 0 pp. ISBN 80-86734-05-6.