20-Year-Old Woman Gets Addicted to Drinking Petrol: "It Cures the Depression"

In a shocking and distressing revelation, 20-year-old Shannon from Welland, Ontario, has developed a dangerous and life-threatening addiction to drinking petrol. 

Despite knowing the severe health risks, Shannon continues to consume gasoline daily, believing it helps her cope with depression. 

Her story, featured on TLC's "My Strange Addiction" in 2012, offers a harrowing glimpse into the spiraling depths of addiction and the extreme measures some people take to manage their mental health struggles.

Horrifying footage from the show captures Shannon's daily routine: she wakes up, heads to the bathroom, and reaches for a red petrol canister stashed under the sink. 

She then pours the toxic liquid into her mouth, describing the taste as "sweet and sour, like a tangy sauce." 

Despite the initial tingling sensation and subsequent burning of her throat, Shannon claims she can't go a day without it. 

"I'll wake up, go to the washroom, and drink the gas. If I go out somewhere, I'll put it in a small water bottle," she confessed to TLC.

Consuming petrol can have catastrophic effects on health. Aside from causing nausea, vomiting, and intense stomach pain, the toxic liquid can severely damage the digestive tract, heart, and lungs. Medical experts advise immediate medical attention if petrol is ingested accidentally. 

However, despite experiencing agonizing chest pains and dizziness, Shannon seems incapable of stopping her deadly habit. 

"I know this is not safe, I know it's going to kill me, and I still can't stop," she admitted.

Shannon's bizarre addiction began in her childhood when she developed a fascination with the smell of petrol. 

She would crouch behind her mother's car to breathe in the exhaust fumes. 

This curiosity eventually led her to take a sip of petrol during a moment of feeling "upset and alone." 

Although the initial experience was unpleasant and caused "really bad pain," Shannon continued drinking petrol as a way to cope with her depression. 

Over time, her consumption increased to up to 12 teaspoons a day, amounting to more than five gallons a year.

Shannon's addiction spiraled out of control, leading her to seek other ways to satisfy her gasoline cravings. 

She began soaking scraps of newspaper in petrol before eating them and inhaling fumes from the canister. 

"I take the cap off and breathe in the fumes that come forcing out of the can," she explained. 

The physical toll of her addiction became evident as she experienced severe dizziness, sharp chest pains, and stomach and intestinal discomfort.

Shannon's family is deeply concerned for her well-being. Her sister Jacqueline expressed her fears, saying, "My biggest fear is that she could die. 

I couldn't imagine life without her." Her mother Connie is at her wits' end, desperate to find a way to help her daughter overcome this deadly addiction. 

"I'm at my wits' end. I will do anything she needs to stop her drinking gasoline," she told TLC.

Since her story aired on TLC's "My Strange Addiction" in 2012, many have wondered if Shannon managed to overcome her dangerous craving for petrol. 

A curious Reddit user recently posted on the platform, asking if anyone knew what happened to Shannon. 

While there are speculations and unconfirmed reports, one commenter claimed Shannon was still living in her hometown.

Shannon's story is a stark reminder of the devastating effects of addiction and the lengths to which individuals will go to cope with mental health issues. 

While her case is extreme and rare, it highlights the urgent need for effective mental health support and intervention. 

As the world becomes more aware of the complexities of addiction, Shannon's story serves as a call to action for better mental health resources and support systems to help individuals struggling with similar issues.