In literature, the term "toxicomania" appeared quite recently. Previously there was used a generalized term "narcomania", that means a habit and painful addiction to drugs. These are herbal substances and medicines, which are included in the special list of drugs that is issued by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. At the same time, other medicines and many toxic household chemicals can lead to intoxication, which cause painful habit and addiction, if they are not used for therapeutic purposes, without the prescription and in poisonous doses. The taking of toxic substances for intoxicating purposes is called toxicomania. From a medical point of view, there is no fundamental difference between narcomania and toxicomania : the effects on health in both cases are extremely dangerous. The only difference is that drugs are prohibited by law and are under strict control, and toxic substances - are available to everyone.
What is the purpose of taking medicines (anodyne and sedative) in order to become intoxicated? If a medical therapeutic dose causes a sedative effect, relaxation, sleep, then a large toxic dose (3-5 tablets and more) causes lethargy, stun, in other words - intoxication. An even greater dose - 6-7 tablets and more - leads to a heavy poisoning with a possible cardiac disorders, apnea and even fatal consequences. Unfortunately, our home first-aid kit often resemble a store of medicines, often with a toxic effect. Medicines, which are left just in case, are kept for years, with expired validity, but their toxicity is not weakened and may rise.
Another dangerous form of toxicomania is inhalation of volatile organic substances’ vapours that are used in everyday life and technology (gasoline, acetone, varnishes, paints, glue, etc.).
If toxic medicines are taken by adults and older teens, the "sniffing" is available for teenagers , younger children, and even students of elementary grades.
Vapours of gasoline, already after 2-3 breaths, cause intoxication - dizziness, nausea, feeling of " weightlessness", feeling that the head changes its shape and size, some visual hallucinations appear. After a 15-20 minute intoxication come headaches, weakness. A similar condition can be when vapours of acetone and other solutions are inhaled.
Intoxication of household chemicals is as harmful to health, as taking large doses of medicines or drugs.
Even a single inhalation of toxic fumes may damage liver, kidney, particularly the nervous system. Repeated inhalation soon causes addiction to toxic substances and the necessity of its daily inhalation, even several times a day.
So, how we can deal with a toxicomania?
First of all, home strict control of taking potent substances is required. Keep it in a safe from children and teens place, and of course, prevent accumulation of drugs in the home first-aid kit.
Special attention should also be paid to the storage conditions of the household chemicals. Any suspicion that the teenager is taking toxic substances should not be left unchecked.