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Send us your question
regarding inhalants or
for immediate assistance, call
(877) 340-3602 |
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| Facts |
When inhaling, chemicals are rapidly
absorbed through the lungs into the
bloodstream and then are quickly
distributed to the brain and other
organs in the body. The user then
feels intoxicated; however, the
effects are short term, lasting only
a few minutes, so the user tries to
prolong the sensations by continuing
to inhale repeatedly.
Inhalants are often among the first
substances abused by children and
can continue into adulthood.
Statistics show inhalant abuse is
highest among 7th through 9th grade
levels. However, adults do abuse
inhalants and can become addicted
with prolong use. |
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Side Effects |
Short term:
abdominal pain, headaches, muscle
weakness, impaired judgment,
dizziness, nausea, hearing loss,
slurred speech, visual disturbances,
limb spasms, lack of coordination,
tingling of hands and feet,
numbness, mood swings, violent
behavior, lethargy, apathy, stupor,
unconsciousness, hallucinations may
occur, or sudden death. Death may
occur due to heart failure,
asphyxiation, aspiration or
suffocation.
Long term:
Muscle weakness, weight loss,
disorientation, lack of
coordination, inattentiveness,
irritability, depression, Depending
on the toxins being inhaled, serious
damage to vital organs can occur to
the lungs, liver and kidneys. Other
long-term side effects can include
hearing loss, limb spasms, bone
marrow and central nervous system
(including brain) damage. |
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National
Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Director, Nora D. Volkow, M.D. wrote
in a recent article entitled,
Inhalant Abuse: Danger Under the
Kitchen Sinks, "We cannot take
lightly even one-time
experimentation with these toxic
chemicals. For some unlucky
children, just a single session of
repeated inhalations has caused
permanent organ damage or death.
Organs at risk from inhalant abuse
include the lungs, brain, liver,
heart, and kidneys." Dr. Volkow also
advises, "Adults don't have to clear
out cabinets, utility closets, and
garage shelves to keep young people
safe from inhalant abuse. Rather,
they should be aware of the problem,
learn the facts, and communicate
with children in a way that guides
them toward healthy life choices." |
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NIDA staff writer, Robert Mathias
wrote the article, Chronic
Solvent Abusers have more Brain
Abnormalities and Cognitive
Impairments than Cocaine Abusers.
Chronic inhalant abuse has
long been linked to widespread brain
damage and cognitive abnormalities
that can range from mild impairment
to severe dementia. Now a NIDA-funded
study that compared brain damage and
intellectual functioning among
long-term inhalers of volatile
solvents and cocaine abusers has
found substantial brain
abnormalities and cognitive
impairment among both groups.
However, considerably more inhalant
abusers than cocaine abusers had
brain abnormalities, their brain
damage was more extensive, and they
did significantly worse than cocaine
abusers on tests of working memory
and the ability to focus attention,
plan, and solve problems. |
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How Inhalants
are Abused |
Inhalants are breathed in through
the nose or the mouth.
⌂ sniffing or snorting fumes
from containers
⌂ spraying aerosols directly
into nose or mouth
⌂ sniffing or inhaling fumes
sprayed into a plastic or paper bag
⌂ "huffing" from an inhalant
soaked rag stuffed in the mouth
⌂ inhaling from a balloon
filled with nitrous oxide |
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The Inhalants |
The term inhalants refers to all
household and commercial products
that can be abused by inhaling them.
They are easily accessible and
affordable, thus, they can become
the drug of choice for teens:
Glue, paint, typewriter correction
fluid, air-conditioning refrigerant,
felt-tipped markers, spray paint,
air freshener, butane lighters,
cooking spray, cleaning products,
computer keyboard cleaners, paint
thinner, nail polish and nail polish
remover, degreaser, hair products,
dessert topping spray, propane,
helium, hairspray, deodorant. spot
remover, gasoline... |
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Inhalant Street Names |
Inhalants:
Air Blast - Bang - Bullet - Bullet
bolt - Chroming - Climax - Discorama
- Hardware - Heart-on - Highball -
Hippie crack - Honey oil - Huff -
Medusa - Moon gas - Oz - Poor man's
pot - Quicksilver - Rush - Satan's
secret - Spray - Texas shoe shine -
Thrust - Toilet Water - Whiteout
Using inhalants:
Bagging - Glading - Huffing |
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Withdrawal |
Heavy or chronic use of inhalants
may result in tolerance and physical
withdrawal symptoms can occur after
just a few hours after use. They may
include:
◊ Sweating
◊ Hand tremors
◊ Insomnia
◊ Rapid pulse
◊ Vomiting
◊ Anxiety
◊ Hallucinations
◊ Grand mal seizures |
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PREVENTION |
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First, you should know the facts.
Get as educated on the subject as
possible, then you should be able to
communicate the facts clearly.
Explain to your kids that inhalants
are not drugs, they are deadly
chemicals and poisons. Do not gloss
over the facts, make them clear as
the facts will prevent curiosity and
the temptation to experiment. |
References:
National Institute on Drug Abuse:
Inhalants.drugabuse.gov
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