Organic solvents abuse

Ramsey JD, Flanagan RJ. 1982. Detection and identification of volatile organic compounds in blood by headspace gas chromatography as an aide to the diagnosis of solvent abuse. J Chromatogr 240 423-444. 

Organic solvents inhaled by abusers include gasoline, glue, aerosols, amyl nitrite, butyl nitrite, typewriter correction fluid, lighter fluid, cleaning fluids, paint products, nail polish remover, waxes, and varnishes. Chemicals in these products include nitrous oxide, toluene, benzene, methanol, methylene chloride, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl butyl ketone, trichloroethylene, and trichloroethane. 

Volatile solvents are useful in industry and in homes because of their ability to dissolve fat. When inhaled, however, this property poses problems to the brain and the network of nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body, ...thus, because the brain is a lipid-rich organ, chronic solvent abuse dissolves brain cells, the American Academy of Pediatrics wrote in a 1996 policy paper about inhalants. The chemical vapors also damage the myelin sheath, the fatty wrapper that insulates the fibers of many nerve cells that carry signals. 

Solvent abusers can die, sometimes after a single prolonged episode of sniffing, from either physical effects of the chemicals or dangerous behavior related to the user s impaired state of mind. The National Inhalant Prevention Coalition, a nonprofit organization based in Austin, Texas, records 100 to 125 deaths from inhalants... 

Much of the information about the harmful effects of organic solvents comes from studies of industrial exposure, although toluene abuse through sniffing of glues and other household sources of solvents (acrylic paints, adhesive cements, aerosol paints, lacquer thinners, shoe polish, typewriter correction fluids, varnishes, and fuels) has also been widely reported. 

Cocaine gives a bright blue colour with acidified iodoplatinate solution, and has the same Rf value as methadone in System TE the two are well separated in System TA. In practice, cocaine is rarely detected in urine samples by this technique. The drug is rapidly metabolised to benzoylecgonine, a polar substance which extracts poorly into organic solvents. Immunoassay kits which are highly specific for benzoylecgonine are available, and this method should be used if it is essential to detect cocaine abuse. 

Although inhalant abuse is now recognized as a worldwide problem, organic solvents are currently the least studied drugs of abuse. For example, relatively little is known about the underlying cellular mechanisms of action through which these substances produce their effects in the central nervous system."... 

Cocaine HCl is an alkaloid derived from the leaves of the South American coca plant. The free base alkaloid, made by extraction from cocaine HCl, is relatively insoluble in water, but dissolves in a variety of organic solvents. There has been a dramatic increase in the use of cocaine free base, which is most commonly known by its street name "crack". Since free base is not destroyed by heating, but rather vaporizes, it can be smoked and inhaled [129]. This provides speedy absorption from the respiratory tract inducing a short-lived but rapid euphoria. The free base is also well absorbed by nasal, vaginal, gastrointestinal and subhngual mucous membranes. Cocaine can be injected intravenously, intramuscularly or subcutaneously. Crack is often combined with heroin or other drugs of abuse and taken intravenously [128]. Cocaine is detoxified by cholinesterases and cocaine or its metabolites may be present in the urine for one to two days after use. 

Inhalants depress the CNS, producing decreased respiration and blood pressure. Users report distortion in perceptions of time and space. Many users experience headaches, nausea, slurred speech, and loss of motor coordination. Mental effects may include fear, anxiety, or depression. A rash around the nose and mouth may be seen, and the abuser may start wheezing. An odor of paint or organic solvents on clothes, skin, and breath is sometimes a sign of inhalant abuse. Other indicators of inhalant abuse include slurred speech or staggering gait red, glassy, watery eyes and excitability or unpredictable behavior. 

Inhalants solvent abuse, multiple organ damage see toxicology section... 

Faillace LA, Guynn RW Abuse of organic solvents. Psychosomatics 17 188-189,1976... 

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