What are inhalents?
Inhalents are chemical vapours or gases that users breath in to get "high". Most are products found easily in homes. But they are toxic if consumed by humans. Some examples of products misused as inhalents include:
- glue
- gasoline
- cleaning sovents
- aerosols (such as deodorant sprays)
There are four main types of inhalents. These are:
Volatile Solvents
These are the most commonly abused types of inhalents. Volatile means the substance evaporates when exposed to air. Solvent means it can dissolve other substances.
Some products that contain solvents include:
- cleaning fluid
- paint thinners
- hobby glue
- correction fluid
- felt tip markers
Aerosol or spray cans:
These products contain liquids or gases that are pressurized. Examples are butane and fluorocarbon. Some aerosols also contain solvents.
Gases:
One commonly used gas to get high is nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Others include chloroform, ether and holthane, and gases found in products such as lighters (butane) and propane tanks.
Nitrates:
Amyl nitrate, butyl nitrate and cyclohexyl nitrate are sold as room odourizer or video head cleaner. These drugs are often called "poppers".
How do inhalants make you feel?
How a person feels after using inhalents depends on:
- age
- sensitivity to the drug
- how much is used
- how long and how often the drug is taken
- the method used to take the drug
- where when you the drug is taken (environment)
- other medical or psychiatric conditions of user
- if other alcohol and drugs have been taken at the same time.
All inhalents are absorbed through the lungs and travel quickly in the blood to the brain. This makes users feel "high" quickly but the high doesn't last long. People who use solvents may feel giddy, excited and have fantasies that are very vivid. New users may feel excited at first and then feel drowsy and fall asleep. Physical effects include:
- dizziness
- nausea
- vomiting
- blurred vision
- sneezing and coughing
- staggering
- slow reflexes
- sensitivity to light
How long does the feeling last?
The feelings may last up to 45 minutes. Some people breathe more in to make the high last longer. As the effects wear off, the person may feel drowsy and have a hangover with a mild-to-severe headache for up to several days.
The effects of nitrous oxide and nitrates are immediate and wear off in a few minutes.
Are inhalents dangerous?
Yes. Some users have died the FIRST TIME trying inhalents. Other risks include:
Suffocation: Solvents are often sniffed from a plastic bag held firmly around the nose and mouth. Sometimes people who use solvents pass out with the bag still in place and suffocate due to not being able to breathe. Choking on vomit is another major cause of death related to inhalent use.
Recklessness: People who use inhalents often feel powerful and take greater risks, leading to serious harm. Some people get depressed when they use inhalents. Self-harming behaviour or suicide attempts are common among people who use solvents.
Burns: Most inhalents are very flammable. Lighter flames and smoking while using inhalents have led to some very tragic burn accidents.
Sudden Sniffing Death (SSD): Using inhalents can cause heart problems that lead to death by heart failure. SSD can happen even after the first sniffing experience, or when a person feels stress or exercises after inhaling substances.
Long-term serious health problems: Long-term users can damage their liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, brain, bones and blood. Sometimes the damage can heal after the person stops using, but often the damage is permanent.
Fetal Solvent Syndrome: Using solvents when pregnant can result in premature birth, birth defects or stillbirth.
Nitrous Oxide can result in the same problems as above, but also:
Frostbite: The gas is extremely cold as it comes out of the cylinder and can freeze skin. The pressure in the tank can also damage lungs.
Nerve damage: Using nitrous oxide a lot can result in nerve damage. This can cause numbness, weakness and loss of balance.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): People who use nitrates sometimes don't practice safe sex, putting them at risk for getting sexually transmitted diseases that include HIV and Hepatitis.
Some of the long term effects of using inhalents are reversible but others are permanent. Damage to the brain is almost always permanent. Using solvents can cause the brain to atropy or shrink, which serious affects thinking, memory and movement control. Inhalent use can also result in permanent hearing loss and damage to bone marrow.
Information adapted from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Information Series