Inhalant Use and Addiction

What are Inhalants?

Per the National Institute on Drug Abuse, inhalants are defined as breathable vapors from chemicals that are willingly inhaled to achieve those chemicals’ mind-altering effects. Commonly abused inhalants are household chemicals such as aerosols, petroleum products, or volatile solvents. Examples are:

• Glues.
• Lighter fluid.
• Spray paint.
• Whipped cream canisters.
• Compressed air canisters (computer dusters).
• Cleaning fluids.
• Nail polish remover.

These household items were never intended to be used in this manner and the abuse of these dangerous chemicals can result in serious health problems.

Signs of Inhalant Abuse

Given the common nature of inhalant abuse among young people, it is incumbent on parents and other responsible adults to become familiar with the signs of recreational inhalant use. It is important to find inhalant addicts who are struggling and make them aware of the help they can get at inpatient inhalant rehabilitation facilities. Among the signs that someone might be an abuser of inhalants include:

• Frequent or persistent rashes around the nose and mouth caused by contact with solvents and other harsh chemicals.
• Paint, correction fluid, or other stains on the face, hands, or clothes.
• Slurred speech and apparent intoxication or disorientation.
• Paraphernalia, including both full and empty chemical containers, and plastic/paper bags and rags used for inhaling.
• Abnormal mood and behavior changes.

Most inhalants enter the bloodstream rapidly in a matter of seconds, producing short and intense effects, but are eliminated from the user’s system in a short amount of time. Due to this relatively short action, there are no definitive drug tests that can be used to detect the use of inhalants as seen with other drugs such as cocaine or marijuana.

Are Inhalants Addictive?

Yes, inhalants can be addictive. About 10% of people who use inhalants develop tolerance to their effects and experience withdrawal symptoms. These users require more and more inhalants to achieve intoxication and to postpone the onset of withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms will vary according to the specific inhalant being abused. While these withdrawal symptoms are rare, they may include:

• Sleep disturbances.
• Irritability.
• Jitteriness.
• Mood changes.
• Impaired memory.
• Sweating.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Tachycardia.
• Delusions and hallucinations.

Inhalant addiction is serious because continued use of these volatile substances can, at any time, result in permanent damage to your brain and body. Some inhalant substances can cause “sudden sniffing death” even after just one small dose.

How to Tell If You or a Loved One Is Addicted

Inhalant abuse is characterized by both behavioral changes and physical symptoms. The user may dedicate a significant amount of time to finding, using and recovering from the substance. Someone who is addicted may also reduce normal social, occupational and recreational activities. Continuing down the path of addiction can lead to actions that jeopardize a person’s safety either when obtaining the substance or while intoxicated. Sometimes people will use the substance in secrecy, deny the harmful effects on their life and develop both financial and relationship problems.

Signs of Inhalant Addiction

If you or a loved one is addicted to inhalants, you might notice these behavioral changes:(1)

• Spending a great deal of time trying to obtain inhalants, use them or recover from their effects.
• Cravings or strong urges to find and use the substance.
• Regular use of inhalants that causes failure to fulfill responsibilities at work, school or home.
• Continued use despite persistent social or interpersonal problems such as arguments or fights.
• Giving up recreational activities or hobbies to use inhalants.
• Regular use of inhalants in physically hazardous situations.
• Regular use despite having a physical or psychological problem that may have been caused or exacerbated by inhalant use.
• Tolerance: a need for increased amounts of inhalants to become intoxicated or a reduced effect with continued use of the same amount of the drug.

Effects of Inhalant Use

Ingesting inhalants causes both short-term and long-term effects. In some cases, inhalant use can prove deadly.

Short-Term Effects

The initial high from inhalants closely mimics alcohol intoxication. This means effects like:(2,3)

• Slurred speech
• Discoordination and stumbling
• Euphoria (feeling especially good)
• Disinhibition
• Unconsciousness
• But also sudden sniffing death syndrome, which happens when inhalants stop someone’s heart

Inhalants can also cause chemical burns on the mouth and nose. The pleasurable effects wear off quickly, which can prompt multiple redoses.

Long-term Effects

Inhalants can have particularly grievous long-term effects on people’s physical and mental health.(2) Some effects can reverse with cessation, but the damage can be life-long and can have deadly complications. These dangers go unreported, meaning most users, especially kids, don’t know what they’re risking.

This list, though long, captures just a handful of the effects of inhalant use.

• Cognitive deficits, including memory loss and learning difficulties
• Poor judgment
• Loss of brain cells and white matter, which can lead to various neurological disorders
• Damage to brain cells
• Organ failure, typically the liver, heart, and kidneys
• Loss of bone marrow and Leukemia
• Optic nerve damage
• Chronic pain from nerve damage
• New or worsening mental health conditions
• Suicidal ideation and attempts

Risk Factors for Overdose

Some of the common risk factors for overdosing on inhalants include:

• The amount inhaled.
• Strength of the chemical.
• Frequency of usage.

The reaction you have to inhalants depends on a wide variety of factors, including the following:(4)

• Your body size
• Whether your body is accustomed to the inhalant
• Whether you combine inhalants with other drugs, such as alcohol or marijuana
• The amount and frequency of use
• How much fresh air you inhale while sniffing
• Your level of physical activity prior to and after use

Inhalant Overdose Treatment

Inhalant overdose is usually treated in the ER through a variety of interventions, such as:(5)

• Close monitoring of vital signs.
• Decontaminating skin or clothing.
• Administering medications such as anti-arrhythmic or beta-blockers to stabilize the heart.
• Lab testing to assess kidney and liver function.

Can You Die From an Inhalant Overdose?

Yes. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the number of inhalant-related fatalities has averaged between 100 and 200 per year over the past 10 years.(6) Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome (SSDS) is a frightening consequence of inhalant abuse and overdose. Most inhalants have a risk of SSDS, which can result after someone’s use of an inhalant for the first time.(6) Death can result not only from SSDS, but also from asphyxiation, suffocation (for example, when using a plastic bag to inhale fumes), convulsions or seizures, choking on one’s own vomit, accidental injuries caused by risk-taking behaviors, and even suicide.(6) Some users experience depression and suicidal thoughts when their high wears off and may harm or kill themselves.(2,3) When used on a long-term basis, inhalants may also result in certain physical and mental symptoms, including:(3,6)

• Brain damage.
• Heart, lung, liver, and kidney damage.
• Weight loss.
• Muscle weakness.
• Disorientation.
• Difficulties with physical coordination.
• Depression.
• Irritability.

Some of these effects may be reversed when you stop using inhalants, but many of them are irreversible.(6)

How to Stop Using Inhalants

Inhalant recovery programs vary in duration, cost and treatment philosophy. The right program for you or your loved one depends on the severity of your addiction and your personal preferences. Inhalant recovery program options include inpatient, outpatient, group counseling, individual counseling, 12-step programs, teen programs, and dual diagnosis. Each of these programs is discussed in more detail below.

• Teen programs: Teen recovery centers are available for adolescents who are abusing inhalants. These programs provide detox, counseling and recreational activities, and may allow a teen to continue to complete schoolwork while in the program. Teen recovery centers may also have groups focused on issues specific to teen drug abuse, such as improving self-esteem and resisting peer pressure.
• Inpatient recovery: Inpatient facilities provide 24-hour care, and they are generally the best option for those with the most severe addictions. These centers offer addiction care around the clock, including therapeutic activities and medical supervision and management of withdrawal symptoms. Research demonstrates that inpatient facilities result in the highest rates of sustained abstinence.(7)
• Outpatient recovery: Outpatient clinics require you to come in for scheduled counseling or behavioral therapy appointments. Outpatient programs are most suitable for those with relatively mild addictions who need to continue employment or school obligations.(7) Usually, these treatments are less expensive than inpatient care.
• Group counseling: Group counseling involves meeting with a therapist and other people recovering from similar addictions. Group therapy helps users by providing peer support, reducing feelings of isolation and providing role models of other people who have recovered from substance abuse.(7)
• Individual counseling: Individual counseling involves meeting one-on-one with a trained psychotherapist. Counselors teach you to recognize and cope with their addictive behaviors.(7)
• 12-step programs: Twelve-step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous use a structured, 12-step approach to recovery. They offer many free meetings that provide social support using a self-help philosophy. The meetings take place in a group setting in which members are able to learn and share spiritual, behavioral and cognitive approaches to recovery that can be helpful to people suffering from inhalant addictions and other forms of substance dependency. Many treatment programs also incorporate 12-step meetings.
• Dual diagnosis: Dual diagnosis recovery programs help people who suffer from both an addiction and a co-occurring mental health disorder. These programs focus on treating both the mental health disorder and the substance abuse disorder at the same time. People who abuse inhalants may suffer from mental health issues such as conduct disorder and suicidal ideation, and they may also abuse other drugs.(1) These conditions should be screened for and treated at the recovery program.

Aftercare

Aftercare activities help reduce the risk of relapse, which is high for people in recovery from substance abuse. Aftercare is follow-up care a person receives after completing substance abuse treatment. It can include additional support groups, 12-step meetings or extended individual counseling sessions.

Tips for Quitting

Quitting an inhalant addiction alone is difficult. Here are some tips for making the process easier:

• Talk to a professional. Consider talking to your primary care provider who can offer encouragement and treatment recommendations. Support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous are free and open to the community. These programs help build a strong support network.
• Avoid triggers. Don’t spend time with any friends who are still using, avoid stores where you would purchase substances and discard any paraphernalia.
• Consider seeking treatment away from home. If possible, travel to a remote treatment facility to escape your current using environment.
• Address the underlying reason for the addiction. Remember, recovery from an addiction is more than just discontinuing the substance. You must address the reasons you started using in the first place. Addiction counselors can help you on your road to recovery.

Find Help for Inhalant Use and Addiction

Inhalant use is highly treatable. Many of the negative physical and mental effects wear off with cessation, meaning treatment can help you feel better fast. Therapy can help address underlying triggers and causes for inhalant use, while relapse prevention strategies prepare you to live confidently in recovery.

Use Recovery.com to find a treatment center that fits your needs. You’ll find photos, reviews, insurance information and more, all in one place.