What are inhalants?

Inhalants are a group of chemicals including solvents, aerosols, adhesives, gases, cleaning agents, food products, anesthetics and volatile nitrites.  These legal substances, most of which are found in everyday household products, are not normally thought of as drugs, but have drug-like effects on the user.

You’re probably familiar with the more common substances, such as paint and glue.  But you may not know that there are nearly 600 common household, workshop and office products that are dangerous when inhaled.  Those products include keyboard aerosol cleaners, felt-tip markers, spray paint and aerosol cooking sprays.

Type	What is it called?	What does it look like?
Nitrous Oxide	Laughing gas or whippets	Small 8-gram metal cylinder sold with  a balloon or pipe propellant for whipped  cream in aerosol spray can
Amyl Nitrite	Poppers or snappers	Clear yellowish liquid in ampules
Butyl Nitrite	Rush, bolt, bullet, locker room and climax	In small bottles.
Chlorohydrocarbons	Aerosol sprays or cleaning fluids	Aerosol paint cans
Hydrocarbons	Solvents	Cans of aerosol propellants, gasoline, glue, paint thinner

Who abuses inhalants?

Inhalants are most often (though not exclusively) abused by young people, especially between the ages of 7 and 17.  That is because inhalants are found in common household products that are inexpensive and easy to hide.  Sometimes children unintentionally misuse these products.  Parents need to be extra alert and see that these substances, like medicines, are kept away from children.

Inhalants are legally available for legitimate purposes, so regulating them to prevent misuse is difficult.

Which inhalants are commonly misused?

Anything in an aerosol-propellant spray container can be abused.  Other misused products are gasoline, transmission fluid, model airplane and other glue, fingernail polish and remover, paint thinner, butane, disinfectant, furniture polish and was, lighter fluid, oven cleaner, insecticide, hair spray, aerosol deodorant, turpentine and rust remover. 

Substances abused by inhaling also include nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and dry cleaning fluid.  Some organic nitrites marketed as “room odorizers” appear to be packaged and distributed specifically for their abuse potential.  Any nitrite, an inhalant with a legitimate medical use in treatment heart patients, also is often abused.

What are the effects of sniffing?

During and shortly after inhalant use, the sniffer usually experiences dizziness, loss of muscle coordination, inability to think and behave normally, and, sometimes, abusive or violent behavior.  Solvents and aerosol sprays also decrease the heart and respiratory rates and impair judgment.  Amyl and butyl nitrite cause rapid pulse, headaches and involuntary passing of urine and feces.  Long-term use may result in hepatitis or brain damage.  Deeply inhaling the vapors or using large amounts over a short time may result in disorientation, violent behavior, unconsciousness or death.

What risks are involved in sniffing inhalants?

Immediate death can result from a single inhalant use when the substance interferes with breathing or produces irregular heartbeat.  It can cause heart failure.  Some inhalant deaths are caused by suffocation when a bag is used to concentrate the fumes.

Chronic users of inhalants can suffer severe and permanent brain damage.  Other risks from inhalants are bone marrow damage, vision impairment, loss of consciousness and irreversible damage to the lever and kidneys.

What are the signs of inhalant abuse?

There are many physical and emotional symptoms of inhalant abuse.  One of the most evident symptoms is problems in school:  failing grades, increased absences and general apathy. 

Other signs of inhalant use are the following:

- Hand tremors
- Drunk, dazed or dizzy appearance
- Red or running eyes or nose
- Unusual breath odor
- Excessive sweating
- Spots or sores around the mouth
- Paint or stains on the hands or clothing
- Chronic headaches
- Anxiety, excitability, irritability
- Nausea and loss of appetite

For more information contact:
GLENBEIGH
P.O. Box 298
Rock Creek, Ohio 44084
1 (800)234-1001