INHALANTS

Methods of Abuse and Effects

Inhalants refer to substances that are either sniffed or huffed to give the user an immediate high.  they include a diverse group of chemicals that are found in consumer products such as aerosols and cleaning solvents.  Across the U.S., the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimates that  889,000 people abused inhalants in 1993, with the number of young people making up 68% of that total.

Inhalant use can cause a number of emotional and various physical problems and even one time use can result in death.  Inhalants are frequently a gateway to more addictive drugs such as crack cocaine, or heroin.  People using inhalants frequently do risky or humiliating things they later regret.  Long term use of inhalants has been linked to irreversible brain damage.

Other Dangers

Prolonged use of inhalants can also result in headaches, muscle weakness, abdominal pain, decreased or lost sense of smell, nausea, nosebleeds, hepatitis, violent behavior, and nervous system damage.  Also, dangerous chemical imbalances in the body and the involuntary passing of feces and urine.

Using inhalants EVEN ONE TIME can put a person at risk for sudden death, suffocation, and visual hallucination.  Side effects include severe mood swings, and a numbness or tingling of the hands and feet.

 

 

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