High on inhalants

Over 30 lakh children in India, primarily in their teens, are heavily addicted to inhalants, and nine out of 10 kids rescued from the streets struggle and suffer from this addiction. Only a combination of psycho-pharmacotherapy can help them de-addict, writes Rashikkha Ra Iyer

A few years ago, there was a case study of a 13-year-old boy rescued from the streets of Bengaluru. This boy, who was rescued by an NGO, struggled and suffered with an intense addiction and craving for low-priced, easy-access bicycle glues or whiteners. His handkerchiefs, which constantly reeked of inhalants were what helped him to appease his cravings. Whilst in the care of the NGO, separation from the handkerchief and hence the inhalant served as one of his biggest struggles.

Closely following opioids, tobacco, and alcohol, over 30 lakh children primarily in their teen years are heavily addicted to inhalants in India. According to the Union Ministry of Social Empowerment, it is the third most addictive substance. The rationale behind this rampant inhalant addiction among children is quite synonymous with any other. The easier access to substances such as eraser liquids and solvents such as nail polish removers compound the risk of addiction in children. When a child addicted to smelling glue shops from a stationery shop all the time, a lack of close supervision and scrutiny on the part of the parents may mean that they do not notice that something is off-kilter.

Many of us enjoy the smell of petrol when refilling our cars at the fuel station. Whilst this is harmless like any other preference like that of petrichor, it becomes alarming when it turns into regular petrol sniffing often referred to as volatile substance misuse or solvent substance abuse. This includes a range of substances not limited to petrol including aerosols, fuel gases, nitrites, and fire extinguisher propellants.

People with a volatile or solvent abuse addiction draw a sense of euphoria or excitement and a feeling of numbness quite like the high that a drug would give.

Most people from underprivileged societies, especially children hailing in poverty may turn to this to be able to cope with troubling or dysfunctional circumstances.

In the older population among remote, Indigenous communities, there is little to no access to wider goods and services that the higher-economic population have access to. Coupled with that, access to drugs is lessened as well. In terms of availability, accessibility and cost, petrol is turned to as the easier option in comparison to illicit drugs among underprivileged/ remote Indigenous communities.

When looking into the causes of petrol sniffing addiction, psycho-social aspects outweigh all others. These aspects can include social disruptions, dispossessions, colonisation, lack of access to entertainment, boredom, lack of structure/ economic stability, isolation/lack of integration into modern bigger society, peer pressure, a statement of non-conformity and pursuit of low-cost excitement and pleasure. Poverty usually means lesser access to food or food of good nutritional value. This can consequently imply perpetual hunger in children and young adults. Thus, kids who are bored, curious, and hungry often times turn to inhalants as a hunger suppressant.

When children/ adults sniff petrol, they can experience the same level of intoxication as that derived from alcohol consumption. They can also experience over-confidence, dis-inhibition, incoherent speech, excruciating headaches, lack of coordination, poor memory, aggression and in some cases fits.

In cases of chronic sniffers, individuals can experience poor muscle control that can in turn cause uncontrolled movements referred to as cerebellar ataxia coupled with chronic psychosis and low body mass index. Nine out of 10 children rescued from the streets in India struggle and suffer from inhalant addiction. Children with an inhalant addiction need a combination of psycho-pharmacotherapy. Coupled with this, there is a need for more legal regulations that monitor and reduce the sale of inhalants to children, consequently curbing free access.

(The author is a multidisciplinary professional who works in the UK.)