Inhalants
From Drug Rehab Wiki
Sniffing, snorting, and huffing, are just a few of the many terms given to using inhalants to get high. For most abusers, the goal is to reach a state of euphoria by inhaling the vapors from aerosol cans and other similar products. The chemicals in the product alter the user’s mental state.
Inhalants are popular because they are so readily available - for those who are in desperate need of a fix, there is no need to purchase illicit drugs to accomplish their goal. With more than 1,000 products that can be found in the average household containing chemical vapors, their drug is always readily available.
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Substances Commonly Used as Inhalants
That strong odor that comes from the large magic marker you use to label boxes and other things is one of the chemicals that “huffers” like to inhale. They also inhale the noxious chemicals from items such as model airplane glue, nail polish remover (acetone), and paint thinner. Aerosols, which frequently contain toluene, are also favorites for those who abuse inhalants. Popular aerosols include spray deodorants, hairspray, spray paint, and even cooking products such as PAM .
Another type of inhalants used by addicts is gas. Various types of gases may be found in air conditioners, propane tanks, butane lighters, and medical anesthetics. Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is the most frequently abused form of gas inhalant. It’s found in cans of whipped cream as well as several automotive products.
Nitrites are typically inhaled to enhance sexual encounters rather than for the euphoric effects that other inhalants provide. One form, Amyl nitrite, can be purchased in a small, mesh-covered capsule that is snapped or popped in to release the vapors. These capsules, as the method suggests, are commonly referred to as “poppers” or “snappers”.
Nitrites tend to be abused by adults more often adults than adolescents. This is because they are hoping to enhance their sexual experience. When nitrates are inhaled it causes the person’s blood vessels to become dilated and his or her heart rate to increase. These effects, in turn, cause a sensation of heat and associated excitement which will often continue for several minutes. Unfortunately, because these inhalants reduce the user’s inhibitions, there is often an increased likeliness of unsafe sex practices. As a result, these users have a high risk of contracting infectious diseases such as STDs.
How Inhalants are Used
Although all inhalants are “breathed in”, they are not all used in the same way. Some are inhaled through the mouth while others are inhaled through the nose. Vapors may be sniffed or snorted directly from an open container or they may be huffed from rags that have been soaked in the substance. This is done by holding the drenched rag to the nose or stuffing it in the mouth. Sometimes the inhalants are poured directly into the mouth or nose. They can also be poured or spray onto the neckline or sleeves of garments so that the chemical can be inhaled over an extended period of time. Some users take the substances and spray or place them in a paper or plastic bag. When they are inhaled in this manner it is referred to as “bagging”.
Effects from Inhalants
For many abusers, inhaling produces a fast euphoric response which is soon followed by a letdown phase. This includes drowsiness, light headedness, and irritability. Many users become uninhibited when the euphoric feeling sets in. Some types of inhalants can cause vivid hallucinations, impaired judgment, and an entire host of other unpredictable symptoms. For those who become addicted to inhaling and repeat the behavior over a long period of time, they may experience weight loss, muscle weakness, a lack of coordination, depression, and an inability to pay attention.
Serious Side Effects of Inhalant Use and Abuse
If an individual abuses inhalants, there are a number of problems that may develop. Serious and sometimes irreversible damage can occur to the heart, liver, lungs, brain and kidneys. The damage that occurs to the brain may manifest as changes in the individual’s personality, cognitive impairment, loss of memory, and slurred speech.
Death can occur from using inhalants after a single use or after long-term abuse. Heart failure may occur due to the irregular heart beat inhalants often cause, as well as from asphyxiation and other related symptoms. Due to the impairment in judgment caused by inhalants, users may also be more likely to be sustain injuries or die from a fall or a serious car accident.
The Lure of Inhalants
Use of inhalants normally starts at a very young age and is attributed to the availability of substances in most homes. It is a cheap and easy way to get high. Inhalants are appealing also because the desired effects occur almost immediately after use. It is a short-term high that the inhalant addict is likely to repeat frequently.
Because inhalants are so readily available, it is extremely challenging to get an inhalant addict to stop using them. It is virtually impossible to remove all sources of temptation. Since there are so many different products that produce the same effects, it isn’t necessary for the addict to attain the same product every time. They are searching for something that will give them that familiar rush of euphoria, so it doesn’t really matter what is available as long as something is.
Telltale Signs of Inhalant Abuse
Although inhalant use is one of the most dangerous forms of addiction and abuse, it continues to be a significant problem because of the ease with which teens can get the products they need to get high. For parents who are concerned that their children may be using inhalants, the obvious symptoms are much like those exhibited with alcohol intoxication. Signs to look for include:
• Drunk or disoriented appearance
• Stains on their clothing or body
• Slurred speech
• Empty paint or other aerosol cans in their room
• Strong smell of chemicals on their clothing or breath
• Red or runny nose
• Nausea or a loss in appetite
• Skin inflammation around the mouth or nose
Inhalant use can become a serious addiction with grave consequences, including coma or death - even from the very first use. Observing behavior closely is the best way to know if someone you love is at risk.
