Inhalant Abuse Treatment for Safe Recovery and Lasting Healing

Inhalants are a category of substances whose vapors or gases are breathed in through the nose or mouth to produce a quick, mind-altering effect.[1] Unlike most other drugs of abuse that may have legitimate uses and be authorized for consumption, inhalants are not intended for consumption through any means. They are also unique because so many of the products involved are legal, inexpensive, and easy to find in homes, garages, schools, and workplaces, which is part of what makes inhalant abuse such a quiet but serious public health concern.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse groups inhalants into four general categories.[2]

• Volatile solvents include products like paint thinners, gasoline, glues, correction fluid, and felt-tip markers. 
• Aerosols include spray paints, hair sprays, deodorant sprays, and vegetable cooking sprays. 
• Gases include butane lighters, propane tanks, whipped cream dispensers (often called whippets), and certain medical anesthetics such as nitrous oxide. 
• Nitrites, sometimes called poppers or snappers, are a slightly different group that is used primarily to enhance sexual experience rather than to alter mood.

People misuse inhalants in several ways. Sniffing or snorting the fumes directly from a container, spraying aerosols into the nose or mouth, inhaling fumes from a plastic or paper bag, and huffing by breathing through a rag soaked in the substance are some of the most common methods [3]. Whatever the method, the chemicals enter the bloodstream very quickly through the lungs and reach the brain within seconds.

Inhalant abuse can be difficult to recognize because the products involved are so ordinary and the high passes so quickly. Parents, partners, and friends often notice subtle changes before realizing what is happening. Paying attention to physical, behavioral, and environmental clues can help families know when it may be time to seek help.[10]

Common physical signs of inhalant abuse include:

• Chemical odors on the breath, clothing, or hair
• Paint, ink, or other stains on the face, hands, or clothing
• A rash, sores, or redness around the nose and mouth, sometimes called glue sniffer’s rash
• Slurred or slowed speech, similar to alcohol intoxication
• Red, glassy, or watery eyes
• Frequent runny nose, nosebleeds, or coughing
• Loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue
• Nausea, dizziness, or unsteady coordination

Behavioral and emotional changes may include sudden drops in school or work performance, withdrawal from family and friends, irritability or unexplained mood swings, secrecy, and the appearance of hidden rags, empty aerosol cans, or chemical containers in unusual places.[11] If you have noticed several of these patterns, reaching out to a treatment professional is a caring, nonjudgmental step toward understanding what is going on and what kind of support may help.

Chronic inhalant misuse has numerous negative effects on the human body.[12] These effects include:

• Damage to the protective myelin coating around nerve cells, leading to problems with movement, coordination, and cognition
• Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and reduced problem-solving ability
• Hearing loss and vision problems
• Liver and kidney damage
• Bone marrow suppression, which can affect the body’s ability to make healthy blood cells
• Depression, anxiety, and other mood changes
• Damage to the developing brain in adolescents, which can affect learning and behavior for years

Yes. While inhalants do not fit neatly into every model of substance dependence, chronic users can develop strong cravings, build a tolerance that drives them to use more, fall into compulsive patterns of use, and experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop, such as nausea, sweating, irritability, sleep problems, and mood changes [13]. For many people, inhalant addiction looks and feels just as serious as any other substance use disorder, and effective inhalant addiction treatment is just as important.

Detoxifying from an inhalant dependence can be challenging, yet it is crucial for beginning the recovery process. Because of the nature of how an individual becomes addicted to inhalants, through inhaling chemicals, their bodies have developed various adaptations to the presence of those chemicals. 

When an individual attempts to quit, their body responds with withdrawal symptoms. Inhalant withdrawal is generally less medically severe than withdrawal from substances like alcohol or barbiturates, but it can still bring nausea, sweating, irritability, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and cravings. Because there may also be underlying physical or mental health issues that need attention, detoxing from an inhalant dependency is best done in a medical facility or residential center with trained professionals.[14]