Inhalants
Inhalants
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Inhalants are common household, industrial and medical products that produce vapours, which some people inhale (breathe in) to make them feel intoxicated or high.
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Inhalants include:
• Aerosol spray
• Chrome-based paint
• Paint and paint thinner
• Felt-tipped pens
• Correction fluid (e.g. ‘Liquid Paper’)
• Gas from lighters or barbecues (butane)
• Cleaning fluid
• Glue
• Petrol
• Nitrous oxide -
Common Names
Glue
Gas
Sniff
Huff
Chroming
Poppers
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How are they used?
Inhalants are inhaled through the nose or mouth. They may be sprayed into a plastic bag, poured into a bottle or soaked onto a cloth or sleeve before being inhaled. Sometimes they are inhaled directly from the container or are sprayed directly into the mouth or nose. This method is very dangerous because it can cause suffocation.
Side Effects of Inhalants
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There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries risk.
Inhalants affect everyone differently, based on:
• Size, weight and health
• Whether the person is used to taking it
• Whether other drugs are taken around the same time
• The amount taken
• The strength of the drug
• Amount of fresh air breathed while sniffing
• Amount of physical activity before and after sniffing -
Sniffing can cause:
Intoxication
Nausea
Headaches
Injuries
Delirium
Seizures
Pneumonia from inhaling vomit
Dependence
Brain damage
Coma
Abnormal heart rhythm
Sudden death
Asphyxiation (if using a plastic bag)
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Sniffing is always risky, but some situations make it even more dangerous:
Sniffing in an enclosed space or indoors
Running or doing other physical activity after sniffing (could cause death due to cardiac sensitisation)
Mixing sniffing with medicines or illegal drugs
Sniffing when the person has other health problems
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Long-term effects:
Irritability and depression
Memory loss
Reduced attention span and ability to think clearly
Pimples around the mouth and lips
Pale appearance
Tremors
Weight loss
Reduced growth potential (height)
Tiredness
Excessive thirst
Loss of sense of smell and hearing
Problems with blood production, which may result in anaemia, irregular heartbeat, heart muscle damage
Chest pain and angina
Indigestion and stomach ulcers
Liver and kidney damage
Needing to use more to get the same effect
Dependence on inhalants
Financial, work and social problems
Inhalant Overdose
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If you inhale a substance many times or use a particularly strong inhalant, you could overdose. If you have any of the symptoms below, call an ambulance straight away by dialing 999 or 112:
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
Irregular heartbeat
Chest pain
Hallucinations
Blackout, seizures and coma Sudden sniffing death
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Inhaling aerosol sprays, cleaning and correction fluids, and model airplane cement has been known to cause sudden death. It is believed that chemicals in these products can cause heart failure, particularly if the person is stressed or does heavy exercise after inhaling.
Most of these long-term effects can be reversed if use is stopped. However, some inhalants, such as cleaning products, correction fluid, aerosol sprays and petrol can cause permanent damage. Some chemicals can build up in the body and damage the stomach, intestines, brain, nervous system, kidneys and liver.
Mixing Inhalants with other drugs
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Inhalants + Alcohol, Benzodiazepines or Opiates
Causes huge strain on the body, and can affect breathing rate and may increase the risk of passing out and suffocating or choking on vomit.
The effects of taking Inhalants with other drugs – including over-the-counter or prescribed medications can be unpredictable and dangerous
