Recognizing Inhalant Abuse

In 2018, about 2.0 million people (0.7% of the population) aged 12 and older used inhalants to get high over the past year. While many drugs can be inhaled, the term “inhalant” specifically refers to products that are intended to be inhaled. These products contain chemicals that are generally not meant for inhalation; however, inhaling them produces psychoactive and mind-altering effects. Inhalants can be “huffed” or breathed in through the nose and/or mouth, sniffed, or sprayed directly into the nose or mouth. Users may inhale fumes from a rag soaked in chemicals or from a bag or balloon filled with the fumes.

The intoxicating effects of inhalants are short-lived, and these substances are primarily misused by younger children and teenagers. In fact, inhalants are the only class of substances more commonly used by younger teens than by older ones. According to the 2019 Monitoring the Future Study, 4.7% of 8th graders reported misusing inhalants in the past year, compared to 2.8% of 10th graders and only 0.9% of 12th graders.

What Are Considered Inhalants?

A variety of common products found in homes and offices can be misused as inhalants, while others serve distinct commercial or medical purposes. Inhalants can be classified into four main categories: aerosols, gases, nitrites, and volatile solvents.

Aerosols contain propellants and solvents and include products such as:

• Spray paint.
• Deodorant spray.
• Hairspray.
• Spray fabric protector.
• Vegetable oil or cooking spray.

Gases are commonly used in commercial and household products, as well as in medical applications. They include:

• Butane lighters.
• Refrigerants.
• Propane tanks.
• Medical anesthetics.

Volatile solvents are liquid products that vaporize at room temperature. Examples include:

• Gasoline.
• Paint thinner/remover.
• Felt-tip markers.
• Correction fluid.
• Glue.
• Degreasers.
• Nail polish remover.

Nitrites are different from the other categories of inhalants, as they primarily act on the body’s central nervous system. Commonly used for sexual enhancement and to relieve chest pain in medical settings, nitrites (such as amyl nitrites, butyl nitrites, and cyclohexyl nitrites) dilate blood vessels and relax muscles. They are sometimes referred to as “poppers” or “snappers” and may be sold as:

• Video head cleaner.
• Liquid aroma.
• Room odorizer.
• Leather cleaner.

Effects of Inhalant Use

The chemicals found in volatile solvents, aerosol sprays and gasses may produce several short-term intoxicating effects, including:⁵

• Impaired judgment and functioning in work or social situations.
• Dizziness and lack of coordination.
• Drowsiness.
• Slurred speech.
• Slowed reflexes and general muscle weakness.
• Headache.
• Euphoria or giddiness.
• Nausea and vomiting.

Nitrites produce different effects, including:⁵

• Increased heart rate.
• Excitability.
• Skin flushing and feeling of body warmth.
• Dizziness and headache.

Dangers of Using Inhalants

Exposure to high doses of volatile solvents, aerosols and gasses can cause confusion and delirium.⁵ Prolonged sniffing of inhalants, particularly butane, propane and chemicals in aerosols—even in a single session—can cause irregular and rapid heartbeats that lead to heart failure in a syndrome termed “sudden sniffing death.”⁶

Inhalant abuse can also lead to death in other ways, including:⁶

• Asphyxiation.
• Suffocation.
• Convulsions or seizures.
• Choking.
• Coma.
• Fatal motor vehicle crashes or other accidents experienced while intoxicated.

Inhalants include many highly toxic chemicals and regular or heavy use may cause damage to the brain and nervous system as well as to vital organs such as the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.⁶

Use during pregnancy can lead to developmental damage in infants and children, including skeletal abnormalities, delayed neurobehavioral development, and even altered regulation of metabolism and body development.⁶

Nitrites may lead to risky sexual encounters that may increase the odds of contracting a sexually transmitted disease, such as hepatitis or HIV/AIDS.⁷

Although use of inhalants appears to be a passing childhood fad for some, studies have associated inhalant use with mental illnesses, including antisocial personality disorder, criminal activity, and use of multiple drugs.⁸ It also appears to be a strong predictor of future drug use:

• One study found that youth who had used inhalants by age 16 were nine times more likely to use heroin by age 32 vs. youth who had not used inhalants.⁹
• Another study associated a history of inhalant use with a person being more than five times more likely to become a person who injects drugs.¹⁰
• The same study showed that inhalant use was a stronger predictor of becoming a future drug injector vs. marijuana.¹⁰

Don’t let your addiction reach rock bottom. If you or someone you love is struggling with the devastating side effects of addiction and are unsure of where to turn, call us today at . Greenhouse Treatment Center, American Addiction Centers’ Texas drug rehab facility, is ready to help you get the treatment you need today.

Why Are Teens Vulnerable to Inhalant Misuse?

Research indicates that teenagers may be particularly susceptible to the misuse of inhalants, which are commonly found in household products such as glues, paints, and cleaning agents. The vulnerability of this age group can be attributed to a combination of developmental factors, peer influence, and the search for new experiences. During adolescence, individuals often seek independence and may experiment with substances, exhibiting a desire to fit in or cope with stressors. Inhalant misuse can lead to serious physical and psychological health issues, including brain damage, organ failure, and addiction. Understanding the risks and establishing preventive measures are crucial in addressing this growing concern among teens.

Preventing Inhalant Use

Inhalant abuse often stems from the curiosity and impulsiveness of youth, but the consequences can be devastating. This type of substance misuse not only poses a risk for future addiction to more harmful drugs, but it also can lead to serious health complications, including irreversible damage to major organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys. In some tragic cases, misuse of inhalants can result in sudden death, commonly referred to as “sudden sniffing death syndrome.”

Raising awareness about the dangers associated with these seemingly harmless household products—such as aerosol sprays, paint thinners, and glues—could be crucial in preventing their misuse. Education initiatives that inform young people about the true risks of inhalant abuse may help them understand that the short-lived euphoria is far outweighed by the potential for long-term health issues and life-threatening consequences.

References

1. Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2019). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP19?5068, NSDUH Series H?54). 
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2017). DrugFacts: Inhalants.
3. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019). Drugs of Abuse: Inhalants.
4. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2012). What are inhalants?
5. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2012). What are the short- and long-term effects of inhalant use?
6. NationalInstitute on Drug Abuse. (2012). What are the other medical consequences of inhalant abuse? 
7. Scott, H. M., Vittinghoff, E., Irvin, R., Sachdev, D., Liu, A., Gurwith, M., & Buchbinder, S. P. (2014). Age, race/ethnicity, and behavioral risk factors associated with per contact risk of HIV infection among men who have sex with men in the United States. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (1999), 65(1), 115–121. 
8. Miller, S. C., Fiellin, D. A., Rosenthal, R. N., & Saitz, R. (2019). The ASAM Principles of Addiction Medicine, Sixth Edition. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.
9. Johnson, E. O., Schütz, C. G., Anthony, J. C., & Ensminger, M. E. (1995). Inhalants to heroin: a prospective analysis from adolescence to adulthood. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 40(2), 159–164. 
10. Schütz, C. G., Chilcoat, H. D., & Anthony, J. C. (1994). The association between sniffing inhalants and injecting drugs. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 35(2), 99–105.