Solvent abuse (misuse) Health Dictionary

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Solvent Abuse (misuse): From 1 Different Sources

Also known as volatile-substance abuse, this is the deliberate inhalation of intoxicating fumes given o? by some volatile liquids. Glue-sni?ng was the most common type of solvent abuse, but inhalation of fuel gases such as butane, especially in the form of lighter re?lls, is now a greater problem and has become common among children – particularly teenagers. Solvents or volatile substances are applied to a piece of cloth or put into a plastic bag and inhaled, sometimes until the person loses consciousness. He or she may become acutely intoxicated; chronic abusers may suffer from ulcers and rashes over the face as well as damage to peripheral nerves. Death can occur, probably as a result of an abnormal rhythm of the heart. TOLERANCE to the volatile substances may develop over months, but acute intoxication may lead to aggressive and impulsive behaviour. Treatment of addiction is di?cult and requires professional counselling. Victims with acute symptoms require urgent medical attention. In Britain, most solvent misusers are males under 20 years of age. Around 150 deaths occur every year. (See also DEPENDENCE.)
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary

Child Abuse

This traditional term covers the neglect, physical injury, emotional trauma and sexual abuse of a child. Professional sta? responsible for the care and well-being of children now refer to physical injury as ‘non-accidental injury’. Child abuse may be caused by parents, relatives or carers. In England around 35,000 children are on local-authority social-service department child-protection registers – that is, are regarded as having been abused or at risk of abuse. Physical abuse or non-accidental injury is the most easily recognised form; victims of sexual abuse may not reveal their experiences until adulthood, and often not at all. Where child abuse is suspected, health, social-care and educational professionals have a duty to report the case to the local authority under the terms of the Children Act. The authority has a duty to investigate and this may mean admitting a child to hospital or to local-authority care. Abuse may be the result of impulsive action by adults or it may be premeditated: for example, the continued sexual exploitation of a child over several years. Premeditated physical assault is rare but is liable to cause serious injury to a child and requires urgent action when identi?ed. Adults will go to some lengths to cover up persistent abuse. The child’s interests are paramount but the parents may well be under severe stress and also require sympathetic handling.

In recent years persistent child abuse in some children’s homes has come to light, with widespread publicity following o?enders’ appearances in court. Local communities have also protested about convicted paedophiles, released from prison, coming to live in their communities.

In England and Wales, local-government social-services departments are central in the prevention, investigation and management of cases of child abuse. They have four important protection duties laid down in the Children Act 1989. They are charged (1) to prevent children from suffering ill treatment and neglect; (2) to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in need; (3) when requested by a court, to investigate a child’s circumstances; (4) to investigate information – in concert with the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) – that a child is suffering or is likely to suffer signi?cant harm, and to decide whether action is necessary to safeguard and promote the child’s welfare. Similar provisions exist in the other parts of the United Kingdom.

When anyone suspects that child abuse is occurring, contact should be made with the relevant social-services department or, in Scotland, with the children’s reporter. (See NONACCIDENTAL INJURY (NAI); PAEDOPHILIA.)... child abuse

Sexual Abuse

See CHILD ABUSE.... sexual abuse

Abuse

Mistreatment or neglect of an older person(s) through the intentional or unintentional behaviour of another person(s). Abuse may be collectively perpetrated or politically motivated. This abuse may be physical, psychological, sexual, financial and/or systemic. One type of abuse is usually accompanied by other types. See also “neglect”.... abuse

Misuse Of Drugs

See also MEDICINES. Government legislation covers the manufacture, sale and prescription of drugs in the UK. As well as stating which drugs may be sold over the counter (OTC) without a doctor’s or dentist’s prescription, and those which can be obtained only with such a prescription, government regulations determine the extent of availability of many substances which are liable to be abused – see Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (below). The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985 de?ne those individuals who in their professional capacity are authorised to supply and possess controlled drugs: see the schedules of drugs listed below under the 1985 regulations.

Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 This legislation forbids activities relating to the manufacture, sale and possession of particular (controlled) drugs. These are classi?ed into three grades according to their dangers if misused. Any o?ences concerning class A drugs, potentially the most damaging when abused, carry the toughest penalties, while classes B and C attract lesser penalties if abused.

Class A includes: cocaine, dextromoramide, diamorphine (heroin), lysergic acid (LSD), methadone, morphine, opium, pethidine, phencyclidine acid and injectable preparations of class B drugs.

Class B includes: oral amphetamines, barbiturates, codeine, glutethimide, marijuana (cannabis), pentazocine and pholcodine.

Class C includes: drugs related to the amphetamines, anabolic and androgenic steroids, many benzodiazepines, buprenorphine, diethyl propion, human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), mazindol, meprobamate, pemoline, phenbuterol, and somatropin.

Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985 These regulations de?ne those people who are authorised in their professional capacity to supply and possess controlled drugs. They also describe the requirements for legally undertaking these activities, such as storage of the drugs and limits on their prescription.

Drugs are divided into ?ve schedules and some examples follow.

I: Almost all are prohibited except in accordance with Home O?ce authority: marijuana (cannabis), LSD.

II: High potential for abuse but have

accepted medical uses: amphetamines, cocaine.

III: Lower potential for abuse: barbiturates, meprobamate, temazepam.

IV: Lower potential for abuse than I to III. Minimal control: benzodiazepines.

V: Low potential for abuse: generally compound preparations containing small amounts of opioids: kaolin and morphine (antidiarrhoeal medicine), codeine linctus (cough suppressant).

(See also CONTROLLED DRUGS.)... misuse of drugs

They Generally Heal Without Treatment Child Abuse

The maltreatment of children.

Child abuse may take the form of physical injury, sexual abuse, emotional mistreatment, and/or neglect; it occurs at all levels of society.

Being deprived or ill-treated in childhood may predispose people to repeat the pattern of abuse with their own children.

Children who are abused or at risk of abuse may be placed in care while the health and social services decide on the best course of action.... they generally heal without treatment child abuse

Drug Abuse

Use of a drug for a purpose other than that for which it is normally prescribed or recommended. Commonly abused drugs include stimulant drugs, such as cocaine and amfetamine drugs; central nervous system depressants, such as alcohol and barbiturate drugs; hallucinogenic drugs, such as LSD; and narcotics (see opioid drugs), such as heroin. Some drugs are abused in order to improve performance in sports (see sports, drugs and; steroids, anabolic).

Problems resulting from drug abuse may arise from the adverse effects of the drug, accidents that occur during intoxication, or from the habit-forming potential of many drugs, which may lead to drug dependence.... drug abuse

Alcohol Abuse

Three to four daily drinks for several weeks result in increased fat in liver cells. Then comes alcoholic hepatitis, inflammation of the liver tissue and destruction of cells, degenerating into an irreversible state known as cirrhosis. Complications develop such as intestinal bleeding, fluid accumulation, kidney failure and death if not arrested in time. Alcoholism is compulsive drinking leading to dependence.

Alternatives: Teas. Hops, Angelica, German Chamomile, or Skullcap. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes. 1 cup 3-4 times daily.

Tablets/capsules. Cramp bark, Black Cohosh, Valerian.

Formula. Equal parts: Cramp bark and Valerian. Dose – powders: 250mg, or one 00 capsule; liquid extracts: 15-30 drops; bark tinctures: 30-60 drops; in honey or water 3-4 times daily.

Cold infusion. 1 teaspoon Oak bark cut, in cup cold water. Infuse 1 hour. Dose: sips during the day. Tincture Cinchona, BPC (1949), 15-30 drops, 2-3 times daily.

Tincture Myrrh BPC (1973) 5-10 drops in half glass water 2-3 times daily.

Oil of Evening Primrose improves brain function in cases of withdrawal (Efamol Can Improve Alcohol Recovery, General Practitioner, p11, Sept 18, 1987).

Milk Thistle. Good responses observed. Dose: 80-200mg, thrice daily.

Chinese Medicine. Kudzu vine (Pueraria lobata) can effectively reduce the cravings of alcohol. The flowers are used in China for alcoholic poisoning. Used for reforming alcoholics. (Herbarium Dec 1993) Supplements. B-complex, A, C, E. Magnesium, Selenium, Zinc. For bone-loss of alcoholism: see: OSTEOPOROSIS.

Information. Alcoholics Anonymous, Stonebow House, Stonebow, York YO1 2NJ. ... alcohol abuse

Heroin Abuse

Nonmedical use of heroin.

Heroin addiction has many adverse effects on the user, including injection scars, skin abscesses, weight loss, impotence, and the risk of infection with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV through sharing needles.

Death commonly occurs from accidental overdose.... heroin abuse

Solvent Abuse

The practice of inhaling the intoxicating fumes given off by certain volatile liquids. Glue sniffing is the most common form.

Inhalation of solvent fumes produces a feeling of intoxication similar to that produced by alcohol. Solvent abuse can cause headache, vomiting, confusion, and coma. Death may occur due to a direct toxic effect on the heart, a fall, choking on vomit, or asphyxiation. Longterm effects include erosion of the lining of the nose and throat, and damage to the kidneys, liver, and nervous system.

Acute symptoms resulting from solvent abuse require urgent medical attention. Counselling may be helpful in discouraging the behaviour.... solvent abuse

Substance Abuse

The use of drugs or other substances for a purpose other than that which is normally recommended. Stimulant drugs, solvents, and glue, are all commonly abused. Problems may arise due to adverse effects or from the habit-forming potential of the substance. (See also drug abuse.)... substance abuse

Misuse Of Drugs Act 1971

(in the UK) an Act of Parliament restricting the use of dangerous drugs. These controlled drugs are divided into three classes: class A drugs (e.g. heroin, morphine and other potent opioid analgesics, cocaine, LSD) cause the most harm when misused; class B drugs include amphetamines, barbiturates, and cannabis, and class C drugs include most benzodiazepines and anabolic steroids. The Act specifies certain requirements for writing prescriptions for these drugs. The Misuse of Drugs (Supply to Addicts) Regulations 1997 and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 lay down who may supply controlled drugs and the rules governing their supply, prescription, etc.... misuse of drugs act 1971

Substance Misuse

the nonclinical, or recreational, use of pharmacologically active substances such that continued use results in adverse physiological or psychological effects (see dependence). Substances commonly misused include alcohol (see alcoholism), *amphetamines, *cannabis, *cocaine, *Ecstasy, *heroin, *lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and organic solvents (by inhalation), but also many prescribed medications, such as co-codamol, quetiapine, or pregabalin.... substance misuse

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