INHALANTS

What Are Inhalants?

Inhalants are invisible, volatile substances found in common household products that produce chemical vapors that are inhaled to induce psychoactive or mind-altering effects.

There are many different types of inhalants and they all have different risks and effects.

Types include:

• gases, including nitrous oxide
• nitrates, including amyl nitrite
• aerosols, including deodorant, hairspray or spray paints
• volatile solvents, including paint removers, and cleaning product

How Are They Used?

Inhalants are breathed in through the nose or mouth.

They may be sprayed into a plastic bag, poured into a bottle or soaked onto a cloth or sleeve before being inhaled.

Sometimes they are inhaled directly from the container or are sprayed directly into the mouth or nose. This method is very dangerous because it can cause suffocation.

Effects

Inhalants affect everyone differently, based on:

• Size, weight and health
• Whether the person is used to taking it
• Whether other drugs are taken around the same time
• The amount used
• The type of inhalant used
• Amount of fresh air breathed while sniffing
• Amount of physical activity before and after sniffing

Overdose

If you inhale a substance too many times or use a particularly strong inhalant, you could overdose. This is also referred to as ‘acute intoxication’.

• nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
• irregular heartbeat
• chest pain
• delirium
• hallucinations
• blackout, seizures and coma

Sudden Death

Inhaling certain substances has been known to cause sudden death. Death from inhalant use can occur as a result of

• Sudden sniffing death – when someone experiences cardiac arrest or heart failure after using inhalants. The chemicals in inhalants can cause a spike in adrenaline which the heart is sensitive to, resulting in cardiac arrest. This is particularly risky if the person is stressed or does heavy exercise after inhaling.
• Suffocation – this is when the gas inhaled takes the place of oxygen in the lungs, either from using in enclosed spaces (without fresh air), or from dangerous practices such as placing a plastic bag over the head. Spraying some substances directly into the mouth can freeze the throat and airways, causing the person to suffocate.

Long-Term Effects

Regular use of inhalants may eventually cause:

• irritability and depression
• memory loss
• reduced attention span and ability to think clearly
• pimples around the mouth and lips
• pale appearance
• tremors
• weight loss
• reduced growth potential (height)
• tiredness
• excessive thirst
• loss of sense of smell and hearing
• problems with blood production, which may result in anemia, irregular heartbeat, heart muscle damage
• chest pain and angina
• indigestion and stomach ulcers
• liver and kidney damage
• needing to use more to get the same effect
• dependence on inhalants
• financial, work and social problems