What are Inhalents?

Inhalents are chemicals that are breathed (inhaled) in and produce psychoactive effects. Many products commonly found in the home can be inhaled, although they are often not thought of as drugs as they have a legitimate use. Children and adolescents have ready access to these harmful chemicals and are the most vulnerable demographic group to inhalent abuse.

There are four categories of inhalents:

Volatile Solvents

These products contain solvents and include degreasers, dry-cleaning fluids, paint thinners, gasoline, glue, correction fluids, marker pens, and electronic contact cleaners.

Aerosols

The propellant used in household aerosol cans can produce intoxication if enough is inhaled. These are found in deodorant sprays, spray paints, hair spary, and other such products that use a propellant to spray.

Gases

Butane lighters, propane tanks, whipped cream aerosols, refrigerant gases, ether, chloroform, halothane, and nitrous oxide ("laughing gas")

Nitrites

Amyl nitrite is the most popular drug in this category. This class of inhalents is often sold in adult shops in South Africa.

Health Risks

Inhalents have a sedative effect on the body's functions. Large doses cause intoxication which lasts only a few minutes after the substance is withdrawn. Users can stay "high" for hours by repeatedly breathing in the inhalent.

At first users feel slightly stimulated and as they continue to use they become disinhibited and start losing control. It is possible for a user to lose consciousness from breathing inhalents.

There is a risk of heart failure and death within minutes from sniffing the chemicals in inhalents. This is known as "sudden sniffing death" and can happen without warning to an otherwise healthy young person. Butane and propane are linked to this syndrome.

People using inhalents can also suffocate as the relative level of oxygen drops in their lungs and stops their breathing system. This risk is greatly increased by inhaling from a bag.

Chronic abuse of solvents can cause severe, long-term damage to the brain, the liver, and the kidneys.

Treatment

Inhalent abuse can be treated like any other addiction in a drug rehabilitation (rehab) center with a combination of medical and psychotherapeutic interventions. Detoxification (or detox) is not always neccessary but should be conducted under the direction of a doctor regardless. A drug treatment clinic will help the inhalent abuser to address his/her behaviour and thoughts that lead to abusing the substance.

Additional Resources

• National Inhalant Prevention Coalition is a clearinghouse for inhalent abuse related topics.
• Inhalants Resource Guide provides a spread of literature helping to prevent inhalent abuse.
• A Parent's Guide to Preventing Inhalant Abuse is a report on improving how people store and use chemicals around children.
• Inhalant Abuse is a NIDA resource that reviews current knowledge about inhalent abuse.