Most people think harmful drugs are only found on street corners or
in local pharmacies, not cleaning cabinets or garages. But sometimes
items commonly found in millions of homes aren't used for their intended
purposes. Some people inhale the chemical vapors produced by common
household substances — known as inhalants — to get high. What many of
them don't realize is how dangerous this really is.

Why People Use Inhalants



Inhalants might seem like an alternative to other mood-altering drugs
because they are cheap, can be purchased legally, and are easy to
obtain. But that doesn't make them safer. Household products are safe
for cleaning, painting, and the other things they're meant to do. But as
inhalants, they can be deadlier than street drugs.

Different Kinds of Inhalants



There are four main types of inhalants: volatile solvents, gases,
aerosols, and nitrites. Volatile solvents, gases, and aerosols can alter
moods and create a high. Nitrites are believed to create sexual
stimulation and enhancement.

Here is what else you need to know about the types of inhalants:

• Volatile solvents are liquids that become a gas at
  room temperature. Some examples are paint thinners and removers,
  gasoline, glues, and felt-tip marker fluids.
  
• Gases include medical gases (ether, nitrous oxide)
  and household or commercial products (butane lighters, propane tanks,
  whipped cream dispensers that contain nitrous oxide, and refrigerants).
  
• Aerosol sprays are some of the most prevalent
  inhalants in the home and include spray paint, deodorant and hairsprays,
  vegetable oil cooking sprays, and static cling sprays.
  
• Nitrites include cyclohexyl nitrite, amyl nitrite,
  and butyl nitrite. On the street, they're called "poppers" or
  "snappers." They're found in some room deodorizers and capsules that
  release vapors when opened.
  

Effects on the Body



People inhale chemical vapors in several ways, including sniffing,
snorting, or spraying the inhalant directly into the nose or mouth,
putting it into a bag or other container and then inhaling from there,
putting the vapor onto a rag, or inhaling nitrous oxide from balloons.

Because the high from inhalants only lasts a few minutes, some people
may inhale over and over again for long periods of time to maintain the
high, increasing the amount of dangerous chemicals entering and
damaging the body.

Inhalants can cause many changes in the body. Once the vapors enter
the body, some are absorbed by parts of the brain and nervous system.
All of the inhalants (except nitrites) slow down the body's functions,
similar to the effects of drinking alcohol. At first someone gets
excited, but then gets tired, has trouble speaking clearly or walking
well, gets dizzy, loses inhibitions, and may get agitated.

Other short-term effects of inhaling chemicals include:

• increased heart rate
  
• hallucinations or delusions
  
• losing feeling or consciousness
  
• nausea and vomiting
  
• loss of coordination
  
• slurred speech
  

Because inhalants are found in most homes, people don't realize they
are incredibly addictive. People who become addicted to using inhalants
are likely to become long-term users. This puts them at risk for the
following health problems:

• brain damage (toxic chemicals may make people become slow or clumsy,
  have trouble solving problems or planning ahead, suffer from memory
  loss, or become unable to learn new things)
  
• muscle weakness
  
• depression
  
• headaches and nosebleeds
  
• loss of sense of smell or hearing
  

Nitrites work differently. Instead of slowing down the brain and the
spinal cord, they increase the size of blood vessels and relax the
muscles.

How Inhalants Kill



Like most street drugs, inhalants can be deadly. Someone can die from
abusing inhalants after trying it only once. Causes of death include:

• "Sudden Sniffing Death" — This is the most common
  cause of death from inhalant use. The heart beats quickly and
  irregularly, and then suddenly stops (cardiac arrest).
  
• Asphyxia — Toxic fumes replace oxygen in the lungs so that a person stops breathing.
  
• Choking — A user can choke on his or her vomit.
  
• Suffocation — When vapors are inhaled from a plastic bag placed over the head, the bag can block air.
  
• Injuries — Since people high on inhalants often
  make poor decisions, they might try to drive under the influence or do
  something irrational, such as jump off a roof. They could also get
  burned or start explosions if a spark ignites flammable inhalants.
  
• Suicide — Some people become depressed when their high wears off.
  

Signs of Inhalant Abuse



Inhalants, like other drugs, have noticeable effects on those using
them. Someone on inhalants may suffer from a number of different ill
effects, including:

• mood swings
  
• extreme anger, agitation, and irritability
  
• exhaustion
  
• loss of appetite
  
• frequent vomiting
  
• hallucinations and illusions
  
• facial rashes and blisters
  
• frequent nose running and coughing
  
• dilated pupils
  
• extremely bad breath
  

Of course, some of these things are signs of other health problems,
not necessarily inhalant use. If you're worried about a friend or loved
one, talk to a parent, school counselor, or your doctor or school nurse.



Getting Help



If you think you — or a friend — may be addicted to inhalants, talk
to your doctor, school counselor, or nurse. They can help you get the
help you need.

Several kinds of treatment are available for drug addiction; the two
main categories are behavioral (helping a person change behaviors) and
pharmacological (treating a person with medication).

Treatment for inhalant addiction is primarily behavioral. An expert
in drug treatment teaches people how to function without drugs —
handling cravings, avoiding situations that could lead to inhalant use,
and preventing and handling relapses.

As with any addiction, it can be difficult to stop without
professional help and treatment. Overcoming an addiction is not
something that can be done alone; everyone needs support. The experts
who help people with addictions are trained to help, not judge. To find a
drug treatment center in your area, check out the yellow pages or ask a
counselor for advice.