Inhalants/Volatile
Substances
p. 77-81
Mind-altering fumes, vapors, gases etc. that are
inhaled
into lungs.
Most often refers to inhaling vapors of commercial
non-drug
products.
Does not include medical use of inhaled products or
drugs
that are smoked
Inhalant Use
Estimated 1 million current US users
Most often used by those 12-17 yrs old
About 20% of 8th graders have tried
Also used when other drugs are unavailable
Impossible to control access to these products
Main Groups
Industrial/household solvents(e.g.
thinners, removers)
Art/office supply solvents (e.g. whiteout)
Aerosol propellants (e.g. in spray paint,Scotchguard)
Househohold/commercial gases (butane, propane)
Abused anesthetic gases (nitrous oxide, halothane )
Volatile nitrites (amyl and butyl nitrite)
Most Abused: Fumes From
Petroleum
Products & Hydrocarbons
glue, plastic cement
whiteout
permanent markers
polish; polish remover
cleaning fluids
paint thinners, varnish
solvents (toluene, xylene, benzene)
de-icers
kerosene, gasoline
lighter fluid
Aerosol propellants in:
spray paints
hair spray
cooking spray
Scotchguard
deodorant
cleaning products
Modes of Delivery
u Sniffing
fumes from the container
u Placing
inhalant in plastic bag and inhaling from the bag
u Soaking
a cloth, cotton ball, or kleenex in the substance, then inhaling
through
the cloth
u Spraying
and then inhaling
Characteristics of Inhalants
u Most
have an intoxicating, stupefying depressant + mind-changing deliriant
effect,
but user can lose consciousness
u Users
often called “huffers” or “baggers”
u Rapid
action (like smoking route) with short duration (30-60 min. unless
re-administered)
u Most
are toxic (never intended for intake)
Risks
u “Sudden
sniffing death syndrome” (death due to cardiac arrhythmia)
u Accidental
suffocation; aspiration of vomitus
u Other
kinds of accidental injuries
u Hypoxia
& toxins can cause brain/nerve damage
u Heart,
kidney, liver, lung & nervous system damage from inhaling toxic
substances
u Some
products are also carcinogenic
u “Fetal
solvent syndrome” if inhalants abused during pregnancy
Warning Signs
u Chemical
odor on body, breath, clothes or in room
u Red,
glassy or watery eyes; nosebleeds
u Inflamed
nose, rash around nose or mouth
u Coughing,
sneezing, drooling, nausea
u Inhalant
supplies (plastic bags, rags, paint cans)
Behavioral Changes With Abuse
u neglect
of appearance
u loss
of drive
u withdrawn
u decreased
interest in physical activity
u slurred
speech
u incoordination
u intoxication
u confusion
u fatigue
u irritability
u depression
u nonsensical
speech
u headache,
hangover
Volatile Nitrites (“Poppers”)
u Amyl
nitrite is a prescription drug for angina
u Butyl
nitrite (“Locker Room”, “Rush”) OTC “room odorizer”
u Produce
peripheral & coronary vasodilation & rapid HR - this produces
short-lived
light-headedness and dizziness
u Nitrites
may be used to enhance orgasm
u Evidence
of increased risk of Kaposi’s sarcoma & glaucoma
Nitrous Oxide (“laughing gas”)
mild anesthetic gas used in medicine and dentistry
propellant in whipped cream
used to increase combustion in auto racing
produces euphoria & dreamy intoxication but
deprives
body of oxygen
ether & other gases also sometimes abused