Inhalant Addiction: Types, Signs, Complications And Treatment Of Inhalant Abuse

Nearly three million US adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 will use inhalants each year — and even if they don't, they are highly likely to know about them, as a shocking 59 percent of 12 year old children has friends who have fallen victim to these drugs. Inhalants are primarily the domain of very young people, for obvious reasons. They're cheap, easy to come by, and legal. 

What kind of inhalants are there?

In case you're not familiar with inhalants, they're chemical vapors found in everyday household products that can be used to get high. You've almost certainly heard of glue sniffing, but users get creative with the kinds of substances they try to abuse as drugs, so the repertoire extends far beyond glue. Among more than a thousand substances used as inhalants, some common ones include:

• Solvents — gasoline, lighter fluid, fluids used for dry cleaning, corrector fluid, the fluid used in felt-tip pens, acetone, and glue. 
• Aerosols — believe it or not, there are people using things like hair spray, deodorant, and paint sprays as drugs. 
• Nitrites — these would include nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and ether. 

Because these substances are all very different, their effects on the brain and body also vary. Inhalants can be sniffed directly, deposited into a bag and then inhaled, sniffed after soaking the substance in a cloth, or sprayed into the nose and mouth. The result depends on the substance used, how it's used, how much is used, and the weight and age of the user. They do share a common theme, though, and that's that they're all psychoactive, altering a person's brain functioning and state of mind. 

Signs of inhalant abuse: Can you tell when someone is using inhalants?

Common signs of inhalant abuse include:

• Behaviorally, a person using inhalants may appear to be intoxicated (because they are). This can manifest through slurred speech, confusion, moodiness, laughing, giddiness, depression, loss of coordination, and so on. If a person is intoxicated in your presence, you'll notice it if you pay attention — but you won't necessarily be able to tell the difference between a person who is drunk or high on weed and one who has used inhalants. A person who uses inhalants regularly may often appear to be depressed, as well as secretive. 
• Externally, you may notice signs like chemical smells around the person, burns around their mouth or nose, stains, and stockpiles of rags or chemicals. 

What kinds of complications can inhalant abuse lead to?

In the long-term, inhalants have toxic effects that can stick around long after a person has stopped using, and that may even be permanent. Think brain damage that results in Parkinson's-like disorders, intellectual difficulties, and early dementia. (Similar risks sometimes apply to people engaged in the manufacture of these chemicals.) Inhalant abuse can also damage other organs, ranging from the lungs to the kidneys, and from the heart to the liver. Some inhalants are additionally known carcinogenics. 

What treatment options does someone who abuses inhalants have?

Many young people who abuse inhalants do so occasionally and recreationally — which is dangerous, let's not kid about, but they may be able to stop using inhalants quite easily with education and therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been found to have promising results. 

There is a role for prevention, as well. Don't think your child isn't at risk if they are happy and confident, as research shows that "popular" adolescents are actually more likely to abuse inhalants.

Parents are more likely to discuss the dangers of things like heroin, cocaine, crack, marijuana, and alcohol with their kids while overlooking the possibility that their classmates are already using glue and other inhalants. They are perfectly legal when used as intended, after all. When a child is introduced to inhalants by a classmate, they are unlikely to be aware of the dangers. So discuss the scary long- and short-term effects these drugs can have, as research has shown that young people who understand the risk are less likely to use inhalants. 

In addition, ask your child if they know of anyone in their school or circle of friends experimenting with inhalants. This is an enormous risk factor! Double down on your efforts to keep your family drug-free if this is the case, considering whether you can change anything about the environment your child is in and finding stories written by people who have first-hand experience with inhalants.