Dangerous Highs Derived from Inhalant Use
By Olasimbo Olanusi, MD, FASAM
Inhalants are a variety of volatile substances that are present in hundreds of household chemical and commercial products. They are used for their "high" intoxicating effect. Inhalant use is most common among young high school students aged 13 years to 14 years old. These inhalants are generally seen as a type of "kids' drugs," whose use declines overall as adolescents shift to the user of other drugs, such as alcohol and marijuana, in their later teenage years.
History of Inhalant Use and Abuse
The abuse of inhalants began during the era of ancient Greek oracles, who inhaled vapors from the earth, such a carbon dioxide, for its mood-altering/feel-good effects before uttering their prophecies.
Sir Humphrey Davy in the late 18th century discovered the "high" effects of nitrous oxide and nicknames it "laughing gas."
Date from the 1999 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse estimated that more than 2 million American youth aged 12-17 years use inhalants, while a staggering 56,000 abuse inhalants on a regular basis.
Questions and Answers about Inhalants
Q: What are the different categories of inhalants?
A: Inhalants can be divided into three main groups:
- Volatile Solvents
- Volatile Nitrites
- Volatile Anesthetics
Q: What are volatile solvents?
A: They are mostly hydrocarbon compounds synthesized from petroleum products, which have the capacity to turn into gas at room temperature.
Q: In which household or commercial products are such volatile solvents found?
A: They are found in products which includes, but are not limited to, such as gasoline and gasoline additives, kerosene, paint, paint thinner, varnishes, plastic cement, lighter fluid, correction fluid, and nail polish remover.
Q: What are volatile nitrites?
A: These types of inhalants dilate blood vessels so that more blood is available to various parts of the body. Nitrites, unlike other inhalants, are more likely to be used in later adolescent and among male homosexuals for both its "high" effect and its ability to enhance sexual activity. Amyl nitrites, is used medically to treat angina (pain that originates from the heart) and cyanide poisoning.
Q: What are anesthetics?
A: They are volatile substances that act both as painkillers and to produce a "high" (feel-good effect). The most notable type among this group is nitrous oxide, or laughing gas.
Q: In what form is an anesthetic like nitrous oxide being abused?
A: Nitrous oxide is most commonly used in small-pressurized canisters, such as whipping cream bottles for dairy products, or in large commercial tanks diverted from dental or medical supplies. These containers of nitrous oxide are used to inflate balloons from which the gas is then inhaled.
Q: What are some of the top reasons that some people use inhalants?
A: The 10 most common reasons for using and abusing inhalants are:
- Desired euphoric effects (it feels good)
- Easy availability
- Low expense
- Possession is not clearly illegal, leading to an avoidance of legal hassles
- Convenient packaging
- Offers fast and multiple highs, which are particularly attractive to younger children who want instant gratification
- Adolescent expression of rebellion
- Easier to hide from and/or explain to parents and guardians than alcohol or marijuana
- Alleviates stress
- Response to peer pressure
Q: What are common modes of administration of inhalants?
A: There are several modes of administration, including:
- Spraying, which involves spraying the inhalant directly into the nose or mouth.
- Sniffing, which involves directly breathing the inhalant from the container into the nostrils. This method puts the inhalant vapor into the lungs as opposed to cocaine, which puts a solid in contact with the layer of mucous membrane lining the nostrils.
- Huffing, which involves putting a solvent-soaked rag, sock or other material over or in one's mouth or nose and inhaling it.
- Bagging, which involves placing the inhalant or inhalant soaked material in a plastic bag and inhaling by nose, mouth or both.
- Balloons, which involve puncturing a can of nitrous oxide or other inhalant with a device such as a pin and attaching a balloon to the end of the can.
- Aerosol inhalation, which involves spraying the aerosol into a bag, putting the bag overone's head and then inhaling from it.
- Pouring or spraying inhalant onto cuffs, sleeves or collars and then sniffing from them.
Q: What are some of the telltale signs of inhalant abuse?
A: Even though inhalant abuse might be difficult to detect, listed below are some signs to watch for in adolescents:
- Frequent headaches
- Odor of chemical substances on clothing, body and/or child's room
- Watery eyes and dilated pupils
- Nose bleeds and nose soreness
- Rashes around the mouth and nose
- Wobbly gait and impaired coordination of limbs and movements
- Abnormal tiredness or lethargy
- Feelings of nausea
- Chest and/or abdominal pain
- Decreased appetite or complete loss of appetite
- Shortness of breath
- Poor ability to control anger and engaging in aggressive behavior
- Seizures
Q: Is it true that the intoxicating effect of inhalant abuse may be similar to that of alcohol abuse?
A: Most inhalant users indicate that the perceived effects are similar to that of drinking alcohol to excess, yet with a comparatively quicker onset of action. Hence, one of the street nicknames of inhalant use and abuse is "a quick drunk."
Q: What are the short-term effects of inhalant abuse?
A: The initial effects of inhalant abuse includes the following symptoms:
- Lightheadedness
- A sense of "high "or exhilaration and a limited sense of wellbeing and power
- Tingling sensations throughout the body
Q: What are the long-term effects of inhalant abuse on the nerves?
A: Prolonged use of inhalant leads to physiological depression of the nervous system, which may manifest itself as dizziness, slurred speech, unsteady and staggering way of walking, drowsiness, hearing difficulties and visual impairment.
Q: Can inhalant abuse cause brain damage?
A: Most people who abuse inhalants over a long period of time may suffer from brain damage, memory lapses and a generally lower level of intellectual functioning.
Q: Is it true that inhalant abuse may produce experiences similar to those suffered by people diagnosed with schizophrenia?
A: Yes, prolonged inhalant use can cause visual hallucinations and delusions, all of which also can occur in those suffering from schizophrenia.
Q: What are some other ill effects of inhalant abuse on the body?
A: Injuries to the liver, kidney, bone marrow and lungs may arise. In addition, repeated abuse of volatile nitrites may adversely affect the body's immune system, especially among those who are already vulnerable in this area, such as those who have contracted the HIV/AIDS virus.
Q: Why are inhalant abusers more prone to accidents while in the act of abusing the drug?
A: Inhalant abuse may lead to fainting spells or blacking out. People who faint may sustain injuries to their knees, hands, face, etc.
Q: Can people die from inhalant use?
A: Yes, people can die from inhalant abuse. Death in these cases can occur in anyone of the following ways:
- Inhalants can significantly limit their available oxygen supply to vital organs, which can lead to either asphyxiation or suffocation
- Choking hazards on vomited food materials may occur as one becomes sick and unconscious under the influence of inhalant abuse
- Sudden sniffing death syndrome may arise, which most often occurs from cardiac arrest situations
- Careless and dangerous behaviors in potentially dangerous settings, such as explosions, fires and death from suicide.
These scenarios may happen during the process of abusing the inhalant or as a result of poor judgments made under the influence of inhalant use.
Q: What can people who are abusing inhalants do to get help?
A: Due to the wide range of problems encountered by inhalant use, it is imperative that people seek professional help from those who are knowledgeable about addictive disorders. These professionals will conduct a thorough assessment of all areas of physical, psychological, social and family functioning to determine the appropriate modality of treatment.
Q: What else can others do to stop the abuse of inhalants?
A: The biggest challenge is the prevention of inhalant abuses, which involves deterring experimentation and interrupting patterns of inhalant use. This is a challenge that society cannot afford to ignore. It is a challenge to save the future of our youth and for the human potential they collectively and individually represent.
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