Facts on Inhalants

What are Inhalants?

Inhalants are a group of volatile (breathable) substances which are abused by
sniffing or inhaling. These legal substances, most of which are found in every day
household products, are not drugs, but have drug-like effects on a user.

Today, more than 1,000 legal and useful household, school, and office products
are being used by youth to get high.

Four Categories of Inhalants:

Volatile gases and solvents:

Paint thinner, glue, spray paint, lighter fluid.

Aerosols:

Hair spray, deodorants and other pressurized products used
more for the propellant capability than for the can’s contents.

Nitrates:

Butyl nitrites, which are known by trade names, Rush, Locker
Room, Bolt and Climax and are room odorizers; Amyl nitrates, which are
packaged for heart patients in capsules known as poppers and snappers.

Anesthetic Gases:

Nitrous oxide, knows as dentist’s laughing gas and
now available in small cylinders called whippets which propel whipped
cream in commercial machines.

How Substances Are Abused:

Sniffing -

breathing in the substance vapors through the nose; may use
white out, glue, paint thinner or gasoline fumes.

Huffing -

breathing in substance vapors through the mouth; may spray
paint on a handkerchief and hold it over mouth and breath fumes.

Bagging -

inhaling the vapors through a bag; may spray fumes on a cloth
or piece of clothing, then insert into a plastic or paper bag to increase the
concentration of the vapors; may then put the bag opening over the mouth
or nose and breathe in; may even place head directly in the bag.

Who Are Inhalant Abusers?

1 in 5 students abuse inhalants

Typically 14-16 years’ old

Begins as early as age six

Includes any race, ethnic origin, or socioeconomic group

Usually they don’t understand what they are “getting into”

Substances easily available

Substances not illegal

Inhalant abuse appears to be increasing among youth

Warning Signs of Inhalant Abuse

Red, runny eyes or nose

Skin irritation, sores around mouth

Chemical breath

Drunk, dazed appearance

Nausea

Loss of appetite

Anxiety or irritability

Paint or stains on body or clothing

A long fingernail to hold material for unobtrusive sniffing

Short Term Effects of Inhalants

Heart palpitations
Breathing difficulty
Dizziness
Headaches

Other Possible Effects

Muscle weakness

Visual Hallucinations

Severe mood swings

Decrease, loss in sense of smell

Depressed behavior and withdrawal from others

Violent behavior possible

Numbness and tingling of hands and feet

Liver, lung and kidney impairment

Nervous system damage

Dangerous chemical imbalances in the body

Involuntary passing of urine and feces

Brain damage

In little doses, there is brief lightheadedness. The more that it is inhaled the
more the person relaxes. Large amounts produce a depressed state and finally sleep,
coma or death.

Long term abuse is associated with diminishment of cognitive abilities, optic
nerve damage and kidney, liver and bone disease. Inhalant abuse can cause
irreversible brain damage. This damage includes losing the ability to reason from right
or wrong. Using inhalants even one time can kill a person. Abusers of inhalants may
die of heart failure or suffocation with only one incident.

What Can Prevention Do?

Helping our children remain drug free is an ongoing process that begins at birth.
All children need love and praise to build self esteem.

All need rules for behavior: honesty, fairness, respect for others, for themselves
and the law.

Ideas For Elementary Age:

They learn by experience - what’s important is what parents do - not what
they say; remember alcohol is a drug too; watch your use and don’t have
your children involved (i.e., bringing beer from the kitchen)

Keep children involved in family activities

Teach them to make their own decisions

Talk about your concerns with drug abuse - ideas: ask your child if he or
she has heard about other kids using drugs; or why do you think kids use;
or what do you think works best to deal with peer pressure - do problem
solving together.

Ideas For Middle School Age:

Continue ideas listed above

Most vulnerable time for a child; seeking own identity

Pulling away from parents

Expect some rebellion

Keep communication open

“Arm” them with facts not scare tactics about drugs

Keep advice in the present; not always concerned about long term health
threats; talk about the possible lack of control of body functions when
using drugs (i.e., possibly throwing up in front of peers or violent behavior)

Plan together and set curfews; know your child’s friends and their parents

Keep kids busy with chores/responsibilities and extracurricular activities

Ideas For High School Age:

Continue ideas listed above

Arrange for family talk and listen times

Be specific, consistent and reasonable with expectations and rules

Western U.P. Substance Abuse Services Corrdinating Agency

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