Many people don’t realize there are substances virtually everywhere that can be abused, from paint thinner to keyboard air duster. There is also a smaller chance of being caught while intoxicated because the effects of inhalants are so brief. The ease of hiding inhalant abuse is one likely reason why these substances are commonly abused by teenagers. In support of these behavioral results, recent in vitro studies have demonstrated that several abused inhalants act with varying affinity and efficacy at a number of molecular sites. Other solvents, including benzene, ethylbenzene, propylbenzene, TCE, and xylene, also antagonize the NMDA receptor (Cruz, Balster, and Woodward, 2000; Raines et al., 2004). Some researchers have questioned whether inhalant use contributes directly to subsequent drug use and adverse psychosocial outcomes, arguing instead that it may be a general indicator of a deviant disposition (Howard and Jenson, 1999; 2010a; 2010b).
What are the most common ways to use inhalants?
Children and teenagers ages 12 to 17 are the most common age group that uses inhalants. Children and teens often use inhalants because they’re inexpensive and easy to find. They often use these drugs before moving on to other substances, like cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs.
INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT
Users who inhale correction fluid may paint their nails with it and sniff it often. Users who abuse butane may have a collection of lighters and lighter fluid in their living space. Therapists can also guide families in understanding triggers and relapse prevention strategies. These positive changes will set everyone involved for success as they transition into healthier lifestyles and relationships. With its help, individuals struggling with this issue can get back on track toward recovery and overall well-being with the support of their loved ones behind them.
The Clinical Assessment and Treatment of Inhalant Abuse
When an individual continues to abuse inhalants despite adverse effects, this is called inhalant dependence (addiction). People who are misusing inhalants may feel the need to seek help in an inhalant addiction treatment program or another type of support. Where PTSD is a diagnosable mental health disorder often requiring treatment, PTS is a normal, situation-specific response to trauma or danger. PTS might be best described as the fight-or-flight response, which prepares us to act in the face of threats but subsides when the situation no longer poses a danger. PTSD can significantly impact one’s ability to function in daily life, including changes in personal and work relationships, ability to regulate mood, and seeking relief from symptoms by using drugs or alcohol as coping mechanisms. In addition, feelings of powerlessness, fear, and anxiety can lead to isolation and avoidance, disturbed sleep, and loss of appetite.
Jill Sensenig is a medical writer with 16+ years experience in the healthcare industry as a writer, editor, and author. The platform offers reliable resources, accessible services, and nurturing communities. Its mission involves educating, supporting, and empowering people in their pursuit of well-being. Nitrous oxide – often found in whipped cream dispensers and propellant canisters (otherwise known as “whippets”) are the most abused gases. After treatment, you may receive a relapse prevention program to help you transition back to daily life with proper support. You and your treatment team will work together to create a plan that serves your individual needs.
For example, research shows that toluene can produce headache, euphoria, giddy feelings, and the inability to coordinate movements. The aim of this review is to familiarize health care practitioners with inhalant abuse and to aid in the recognition, assessment, and treatment of patients presenting with this condition. The main grouping categories of inhalants and their pharmacologies, known mechanisms of action, and toxicities are presented. A clinical assessment for patients with inhalant abuse based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition is presented, including history, physical examination, laboratory testing, and imaging studies.
Some users lose weight, have difficulty concentrating and suffer from depression. Chronic exposure to chemicals can lead to widespread and long-lasting damage to the brain. The symptoms are painful and the damage is described as similar to neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis. Inhalant abuse can lead to many short-term side effects that are similar to being drunk. After inhaling the chemical, a user may exhibit slurred speech or have trouble with their balance.
- Inhaling solvents and aerosol sprays causes an inflammatory response in the lungs which can leave them weakened for some time after use.
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- Inhalants can cause permanent damage to a person’s nervous system and affect how they think, remember things, make decisions, and cope with stress.
- Education of young persons and their parents is essential to decrease experimentation with inhalants.
- Maruff and colleagues (1998) found that current inhalant users performed worse than former users and controls in a test of visual-spatial memory that challenges the test taker to remember the location in which a symbol briefly flashed on a computer screen.
- Extended therapeutic treatment, once the disorder is identified, includes cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy involving both the individual and their loved ones.
Through this process, users can develop a better sense of themselves and build a strong foundation for long-term recovery from inhalant abuse. Many individuals successfully overcome their addiction with increased motivation and a supportive environment. The most serious consequence of long-term inhalant use is ‘sudden sniffing death.’ This is caused by cardiac arrest resulting from the inhalation of volatile chemicals that may contain high levels of carbon monoxide or other toxic substances. Brain damage from inhalants can also be irreversible if not treated early enough, sometimes leading to coma or even death.
They can range from mild to severe and may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting. It’s important to note that other factors, such as dehydration, could also cause these symptoms. Hence, getting proper medical attention is vital if you experience sudden or intense head pain while inhaling. They contain compounds like hydrocarbons, which can lead to serious health complications when inhaled. The most common types of aerosol products used in this way include spray paint, computer cleaning fluids, and air fresheners. They are often called ‘poppers’ and usually contain alkyl nitrite, amyl nitrite, or cyclohexyl nitrate.
Paranoia may lead to anxiety and depression, making it difficult for someone who uses inhalants to cope with everyday life. In severe cases, paranoia can be accompanied by hallucinations and delusions that could further interfere with a person’s ability to function. Long-term use of inhalants, even in small amounts, can lead to permanent organ damage and other serious health problems. Unfortunately, many individuals don’t recognize the severity of their addiction until it’s too late. Hence, knowing the signs and symptoms of inhalant abuse may be pivotal to getting someone back on track toward recovery.
Inhalant abuse occurs when someone intentionally inhales volatile substances such as solvents, aerosols, gases, and nitrites through the nose or mouth to produce a “high” [5] instead of for their intended practical https://sober-home.org/samhsa-announces-national-survey-on-drug-use-and/ purpose. If a person is found unconscious after using substances, call immediately. After being medically stabilized, a person misusing inhalants may want to attend an inhalant addiction treatment program.
For example, in certain parts of the country, «Texas shoeshine,» a shoe-shining spray containing the chemical toluene, is a local favorite. Prevention of inhalant abuse is a primary goal, and preadolescents and adolescents should be given extra attention. In addition to questions about tobacco, alcohol, or other drug use, the social history should include a question about “huffing” and “sniffing.” For example, “Have you or your friends ever tried sniffing glue or paint thinner?
Although the chemical substances found in inhalants may produce various pharmacological effects, most inhalants produce a rapid high that resembles alcohol intoxication, with initial excitation followed by drowsiness, disinhibition, lightheadedness, and agitation. If sufficient amounts are inhaled, nearly all solvents and gases produce anesthesia — a loss of sensation — and can lead to unconsciousness. Behavioral https://sober-home.org/ therapy is often used in addiction treatment to help a person understand why they took inhalants and the dangers of doing so. It will also aim to address any underlying causes of drug use, such as mental health conditions and interpersonal challenges. Treatment for an addiction to inhalants may include behavioral therapy, support groups, 12-step programs, or inpatient rehabilitation programs.
One classification system lists four general categories of inhalants — volatile solvents, aerosols, gases, and nitrites — based on the forms in which they are often found in household, industrial, and medical products. Imaging studies of inhalant abusers have documented thinning of the corpus callosum (the band of nerve fibers joining the cerebral hemispheres) and lesions of the white matter that facilitates communication between brain cells (Finch and Lobo, 2005; Gautschi, Cadosch, and Zellweger, 2007). Regional reductions in cerebral blood flow are observable with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) after 1 year of inhalant use (Okada et al., 1999; Yamanouchi et al., 1998).
The type of treatment that is appropriate for each individual depends on the extent of their addiction and any underlying mental conditions. The short-lived effects of inhalants may lead people to incorrectly assume that these substances aren’t that dangerous. Many individuals also feel inhalants aren’t that dangerous because they can be easily found around the house. Inhalants can cause heart failure and respiratory distress, which could result in a fatal overdose even with the first use. Some products, especially solvents and aerosol sprays, have high concentrations of harmful chemicals.
Other household or commercial products containing gases include butane lighters, propane tanks, and refrigerants. If you or someone you know is suffering from inhalant misuse, seeking early help is the best course of action to prevent any permanent damage. Many people have successfully stopped using inhalants with the help of an in or outpatient treatment program. Chronic exposure can produce significant damage to the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. Although some inhalant-induced damage to the nervous and other organ systems may be at least partially reversible when inhalant abuse is stopped, many syndromes caused by repeated or prolonged abuse are irreversible.
Studies of occupationally exposed workers laid the foundation for much of what we know about inhalant-related cognitive deficits. Morrow and colleagues (1997) found significant learning and memory impairments in journeyman painters relative to controls and evidence that many patients’ inhalant-related cognitive problems were slow to resolve (Morrow, Steinhauer, and Condray, 1996; 1998). Inhalant abuse is an extremely dangerous behavior that can lead to a wide range of potentially debilitating outcomes. Treatment should be sought if you or a loved one is struggling with an inhalants abuse. Inhalant users will often smell the chemical vapors without “inhaling” the actual liquid (or spray).
The best way to help prevent inhalant use is to talk to your child about it early on. Talk to your child about the dangers and risks of trying inhalants and drugs. Minimize or avoid excess storage of things like paint thinners, gasoline, oven cleaner, spray paints, and other things you don’t need on a regular basis. Teenagers often try inhalants before they try alcohol, cigarettes, or other drugs.
Long-term inhalant abusers risk causing serious, permanent to their bodies, including liver and kidney dysfunction or shut down, memory loss, and seizures. Inhalant users frequently suffer from problems with their eyesight and hearing. Ulcers or irritation around the nose and mouth are common effects of inhalant abuse.
For example, a person’s inability to sleep might cause their performance at work to deteriorate to the point of being fired. Symptoms of PTSD can persist for several months or years, depending on the person. However, other people continue experiencing stress response symptoms long after the event. In some cases, the severity of symptoms reaches the level of a PTSD diagnosis. Lamotrigine and vigabatrin have shown potential effectiveness for treating inhalant dependence. An assessment is an important first step toward treatment of and recovery from addiction.