INHALANTS
What It Is: Breathable, chemical vapors that are extremely dangerous and produce psychoactive (mind-altering) effects. Young people sometimes abuse inhalants, in part because inhalants are readily available and inexpensive. Sometimes children unintentionally misuse inhalant products that are found in household products. (WARNING: Parents should see that these substances are monitored closely so that they are not inhaled by young children). Slang/street names include huffing, poppers, laughing gas, rush, locker room, and snappers.
Type of Drug: Falls into 3 categories-
1. Solvents: Industrial or household solvents or solvent-containing products, including paint thinners or solvents, degreasers (dry-cleaning fluids), gasoline, and glues. Art or office supplies solvents, including correction fluids, felt-tip-marker fluid, and electronic contact cleaners.
2. Gases: Used in household or commercial products, including butane lighters and propane tanks, whipped cream aerosols or dispensers (whippets), and refrigerant gases. Household aerosol propellants and associated solvents in items such as spray paints, hair or deodorant sprays, and fabric protector sprays. Medical anesthetic gases, such as ether, chloroform, hallothane, and nitrous oxide (laughing gas).
3. Nitrites: Aliphatic nitrites, including cyclohexyl nitrite, which is available to the general public; amyl nitrite, which is available only by prescription; and butyl nitrite.
Method of Use: Inhaled through the nose or mouth into the lungs from a rag or plastic bag or other container.
What It Does: Although different in makeup, nearly all abused inhalants produce effects similar to anesthetics, which act to slow down the body’s functions. Initially, users may feel slightly stimulated; with successive inhalations, they may feel less inhibited and less in control. When inhaled via the nose or mouth into the lungs in sufficient concentrations, unconsciousness, brain damage, or death may result.
Health Risks: Sniffing highly concentrated amounts of the chemicals in solvents or aerosol sprays can directly induce heart failure or death. This is especially common from the abuse of fluorocarbons and butane-type gases. High concentrations of inhalants also cause death from suffocation by displacing oxygen in the lungs and then in the central nervous system so that breathing ceases. Other irreversible effects caused by inhaling solvents include hearing loss, limb spasms, central nervous system damage, brain damage, and bone marrow damage. Serious but potentially reversible effects include liver and kidney damage or blood oxygen depletion. (WARNING: Death from inhalants usually is caused by a very high concentration of fumes. Deliberately inhaling from paper or plastic bag or in a closed area greatly increases the chances of suffocation).
Legal Status: Products are legal when used as intended
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