Author: James Anderson

Inhalant Addiction: Signs, Effects, and Treatment

Inhaled chemicals are most often used by adolescents, young males in particular, peaking around the age of 15. Typically, inhalant use (formerly referred to as “inhalant abuse”) declines with age, although some continue using inhalants into adulthood. Researchers speculate that these substances are common among young people because they are comparatively inexpensive, legal to purchase, and it can be easier to hide use.

However, a survey22 of drug treatment providers concluded that most treatment programs are not yet adequately equipped to handle inhalant abuse or dependence. While addiction to inhalants has been reported in various case studies, no studies have estimated its prevalence. Many people don’t realize there are substances virtually everywhere that can be abused, from paint thinner to keyboard air duster.

  1. A diligent history and a thorough physical examination are the mainstays of diagnosis.
  2. While addiction to inhalants has been reported in various case studies, no studies have estimated its prevalence.
  3. The prevention of drug abuse of any kind requires ongoing communication.
  4. Psychotherapy, in particular cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is commonly used to help individuals who misuse chemical inhalants.

Education of young persons and their parents is essential to decrease experimentation with inhalants. Inhalant use can lead to blurred vision and slurred speech in the short term and brain damage and bone marrow problems in the long term. In some rare cases, sudden death can occur from cardiac arrest—even for first-time users. Inhalant use disorder is a type of substance use disorder in which people use common household and workplace items to get high. If your use of inhalants is affecting your health, relationships, work, school or other aspects of your life, it may be time to seek help.

How is inhalant use disorder treated?

Occult trauma is common in these patients, as lost inhibition leads to dangerous activities during intoxication. 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.

Are Inhalants Addictive?

Many abused inhalants are common household goods, readily accessible and relatively inexpensive, including spray paint, nail polish remover, white-out, marker, gasoline, glue, keyboard cleaner, shoe polish, and aerosol sprays. Another study found that observing a sample of inhalant users, high-risk behavior and adverse outcomes were found to occur frequently in adolescents during inhalant intoxication. These behaviors included physical violence and unprotected sex and were far more common in high-frequency users of chemical inhalants than low-frequency users. Treatment for inhalant intoxication includes emergency interventions for life-threatening reactions. There is no specific protocol for reversing the effects of inhalant intoxication.

If you’re noticing signs that a loved one may have inhalant use disorder, try to gently suggest that they get some help. Talk to your healthcare provider to take the first step toward recovery. Depending on the type of inhalant being abused, side effects may not be permanent and could be reversed by discontinuing use. In some cases, however, these effects may be permanent, especially when nitrous oxide is used. This chemical, also known as “laughing gas,” can be found in a variety of household products, such as Galaxy Gas whippits, a brand of nitrous oxide whipped cream flavoring tanks.

Types of Inhalants

We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. The prevention of drug abuse of any kind requires ongoing communication. Parents should discuss the dangers of inhalant use and the potential consequences.

Inhalant Addiction: Signs, Effects, and Treatment

Inhalant use shares characteristics with other substance use disorders because it intensely and directly stimulates the reinforcement and reward systems of your brain. When you’re dependent on a drug, everything else in your life can fall by the wayside. The use of inhalants for intoxication is not common in the general population, occurring in about 0.8 percent of all Americans over the age of 12. But its prevalence is higher among younger adults, and especially in people between 12 and 17. The institute estimates that 12.6 percent of current American eighth-graders will use inhalants at least once in their lifetime. However, only about 0.4 percent of adolescents progress to inhalant use disorder.

Inhalant-Related Disorders

According to the DSM-5, healthcare providers can diagnose inhalant use disorder when the repeated use of inhalants leads to significant distress or impairment, or when a problematic pattern of being intoxicated develops. The emergency and referral resources listed above are available to individuals located in the United States and are not operated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). NIDA is a biomedical research organization and does not provide personalized medical advice, treatment, counseling, or legal consultation. Information provided by NIDA is not a substitute for professional medical care or legal consultation. A 21-year-old man is unconscious when he is brought to the emergency department. His friends report that he has been “huffing” (placing a rag soaked in a substance over his nose and mouth and then inhaling) for several months.

What are inhalants?

Some examples of permanent damage caused by inhalant use include damage to the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, and brain, including permanent death of brain cells, resulting in memory loss and difficulty obtaining new knowledge. These side effects are especially dangerous in individuals under the age of 25, whose brains are not yet fully developed. Inhalant use disorder (inhalant abuse) is a type of substance use disorder in which people use common household and workplace items to get high. Huffing, bagging or snorting can lead to short-term and long-term effects that can be dangerous.

Therapy can be an effective way to address any challenges that can get in the way of quitting chemical inhalants, as well as build a toolbox of techniques to avoid relapse. There may be several underlying causes that contribute to a substance use disorder,2 including untreated trauma, excessive stress, low self-esteem, or feelings of depression. Therapy may also help by teaching and reinforcing positive lifestyle habits, educating on the negative effects of inhalants, and implementing stress management techniques. Family counseling may also be explored so that family members can learn how to best offer support. Many children abuse inhalants regularly; however, only those who develop complications are likely to present to the Emergency Department (ED) or primary care physician. The clinician, especially the primary care physician, must therefore maintain a high index of suspicion for inhalant abuse in any patient presenting with unexplained and often vague complaints.