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Inhalants

Learn about inhalants like chemical vapors, effects on the mind, and various categories of abused substances. Understand the immediate risks and long-term consequences associated with inhalant abuse. Explore the extent and patterns of usage among different demographics. Discover the signs of inhalant abuse and how to identify potential chronic abusers in society.

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Inhalants

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  1. Inhalants Drugs and Our Society Part 16

  2. Types of Inhalants • Breathable chemical vapors - psychoactive effects / mind-altering - vaporize at room temperature a. Household / workplace products - can be inhaled - spray paints / gules / cleaning fluids - do not think of as drugs - never meant for intoxicating effect b. Young children / adolescents easily obtain

  3. Types, cont. - most likely abuse extremely toxic b. Effects: similar to alcohol - CNS depressant - more volatile than alcohol • Three categories: - 10,000 products abused a. Volatile substances - increased substantially

  4. Types, cont. (1) Adhesives - model glue / rubber cement (polyvinylchloride) (2) Aerosol sprays - paint / hair / deodorant / asthma / analgesic (a) Toluene: more dangerous chemical - lipid-soluble / low molecular weight / rapidly absorbed (b) Brain: large capacity to store - 10 times greater than blood levels

  5. Types, cont. (3) Solvents / Gases - nail polish / paint remover / paint thinner / typing fluid / marking pens / gasoline (a) Gas: vaporizes at room temperature - toluene / benzene - intoxication: 3 - 5 min. / 5 – 6 hrs. (4) Cleaning agents - dry clean fluid / spot remove / degreaser

  6. Types, cont. (5) Dessert topping sprays - whipped cream / whippets b. Anesthetics (1) Gas / liquid / local - ether / chloroform / halothane / nitrous oxide (2) Nitrous oxide: significant abuse concern

  7. Types, cont. c. Nitrites - room deodorizers - amyl nitrite / butyl nitrite - called “poppers” / “rush” / “locker room” / “bullets” • Use of inhalants - sniffed or huffed - immediate head rush (high) - from open container / paper bag / soaked rag

  8. Use, cont. a. Not a controlled substance - states place restrictions - 5 to 15% young people tried - vast majority don’t become chronic abusers b. Using just one time = put at risk - sudden death (cardiac arrest) - suffocation (bags) - asphyxia: limit available oxygen - visual hallucinations - severe mood swings

  9. Use, cont. - numbness / tingling: hands / feet - loss of muscle control - slurred speech - headache / muscle weakness - abdominal pain - decrease / loss: sense of smell - nausea / nosebleeds - violent behavior - irregular heartbeat - liver / lung / kidney impairment - brain damage

  10. Use, cont. - involuntary passing: urine / feces c. Entry into brain - inhalation effects so fast - resemble intensity of intravenous injection of other psychoactive drugs d. Inhalant intoxication - resemble alcohol inebriation - with stimulation / loss of inhibition - followed by depression (high doses)

  11. Use, cont. • Extent of use - often starts early - young people: cheap / accessible substitute - chronic / long-term: most difficult to treat - multiple psychological / social problems a. 8th / 10th / 12th grade use - ever used: 21% / 18% / 16% - past year: 12% / 9% / 7% - past month: 6% / 3% / 2.5%

  12. Current Patterns • Current patterns and signs of abuse - 4th most common form of abuse (high school) - behind alcohol / tobacco / marijuana a. Popular because: - legally obtained - readily available - inexpensive - easy to conceal - intoxication / euphoria much more rapid - withdrawal less severe than alcohol

  13. Patterns, cont. b. Adolescent / teenage use - typically a problem c. Usage decreases with age: (primary reason) - view use with disdain - unsophisticated / “kids” habit • Early use - early as preschool years a. 2 to 6 year olds inhaling gasoline vapors

  14. Patterns, cont. - imitation of older siblings / neighbors - 7 / 8 year olds familiar with psychological effects of inhaling gasoline b. 21st century shows decline in use among high school students - declined by 1.5% • Gender / race / socioeconomics - National Household Survey on Drug Abuse

  15. Patterns, cont. a. Male (11%) / female (5.4%) - at least once in lifetime b. Gender difference diminishing - current survey: equal percentage (1%) - age 12 to 17: used in past month c. Caucasian more likely to use - white: 9.3% / Hispanic: 5.5% / black: 3.5%

  16. Patterns, cont. • Profile of chronic abuser - profile similar to other substance abusers a. Unhappy surroundings - severe family or school problems - poor self-image b. Gives accessible escape - occurs in episodic outbreaks - a particular school - particular geographic region

  17. Patterns, cont. c. Isolated incidents - reflect faddish nature - continually fluctuating levels of abuse d. Not unique to U.S. - worldwide concern - low price / easy access - Asia / Africa / Latin America • Signs of abuse - uncoordinated / disoriented / drunk appearance

  18. Patterns, cont. a. Red, watery eyes - nausea / slurred speech / headache / nosebleed b. Rashes (nose / mouth) - unexplained paint: hands / mouth / nose - smelling chemical ordor - unusual containers (soda can / plastic bag / rags / handkerchief) - aerosol whipped cream cans (not foam) - air conditioners that do not work

  19. Patterns, cont. c. Frequent users have following: - collect unusual assortment of chemicals - glues / paints / thinners / solvents / nail polish / liquid eraser / cleaning fluids d. Occasionally: breath smells like solvents - have “sniffles” without other cold symptoms - appear drunk / recover quickly: 15 – 60 min - doing poor In school / usually unkempt e. Other signs:

  20. Patterns, cont. - sit with pen / marker near nose - constantly smelling sleeves of shirt - hiding rags / clothes / empty containers - possessing chemical-soaked rags, bags, or socks - abusable household items missing • Dangers of inhalant abuse - besides danger to brain / lungs / liver / kidneys - or suffocation / asphyxiation

  21. Dangers, cont. a. Severely injure themselves - fall or accidents - impaired driving b. Use during pregnancy - newborn at risk (developmentally) - toluene: reduce brain development / reduce birth weight / skeletal abnormalities c. Some consider “gateway” drug - cheap/obtainable: lead to alcohol/marijuana

  22. Treatment of Abuse • Treatment - fewer times used / easier to stop - less likely severe physiological damage a. Do not cause dangerous physical dependence - can lead to psychological addiction - require professional counseling b. Programs rare / difficult to find - often resistant to treatment efforts - high rates of failure / relapse

  23. Treatment, cont. - when compared to other forms of substance abuse c. Usually require longer-term treatment - to produce satisfactory outcome

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