Solvents are everyday products such as glue, aerosol sprays, cleaning fluids, paint, petrol and butane gas. Methods of use vary from spraying directly into the mouth to sniffing and inhaling products from their container or from a plastic bag. Solvent abuse is very dangerous and can kill first time.

Breathing in gas or fumes to get high is VERY dangerous. It can kill on the first go.

It kills one person every week. Long term abuse can cause brain, liver and kidney damage. The effects can feel similar to being drunk – feeling dizzy, giggly and dreamy or they may see or hear things which are not real, have feelings of depression or become drowsy.

Use of solvents can lead to mental health problems.
Who you can talk to:- the obvious people might be parents, a best friend, a teacher, youth worker or Connexions worker but you could also Call Re-Solv’s freephone national helpline 01785 810762 or Childline 0800 1111

Confidentiality
Lots of the young people who helped write this info were concerned that if they talked to a professional either face to face or on a helpline that what they said would be confidential. There is no reason why you could not ask the person to explain what they meant by confidentiality so that you are clear about this from the start. Usually confidentiality means that they will not tell your parents/carers or anyone else about anything you have told them unless you give them permission to do so. The only time they may tell someone else would be if they were concerned that you were in danger.

BT's advice about helplines is as follows: Please be aware that any helpline number you call may be listed on your telephone bill – you can prevent this by either calling from a public phone box or by using a friend’s phone.