Why Are Inhalants Widely Abused?

Inhalants are chemical substances inhaled to induce psychoactive or mind-altering effects. They are easily accessible, even for kids or those with financial constraints, which explains why are inhalants widely abused. Their use can damage parts of the brain in charge of thinking, moving, vision, and hearing. As for cognitive damages, they can vary from mild to severe dementia. 

Once recognized, inhalant abuse should be treated. Depending on the severity of abuse, different New Jersey drug rehab programs can be beneficial, including residential treatments for the most severe cases. Prevention also plays an important role, especially for the most sensitive ones to their effects, like children. 

Understanding Inhalants

The term inhalants describes a variety of substances that have one thing in common: they are rarely, if ever, taken in any way other than inhalation. This is a very diverse group of products with different pharmacological effects, making it difficult to establish a precise categorization of them. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) warns about them being in common household products, making them broadly available and easily accessible. 

The National Institute on Drug Abuse suggests a categorization that puts all inhalants into four categories:

• Volatile solvents. Volatile solvents are products used for common household and industrial purposes that are liquid but evaporate at room temperature. Paint thinners and removers, dry-cleaning fluids, degreasers, gasoline, glues, correction fluids, and felt-tip markers are just some of them. 
• Aerosols. Aerosols are sprays containing propellants and solvents. Products like spray paints, deodorant and hair sprays, vegetable oil sprays for cooking, and fabric protector sprays are in this category of inhalants. 
• Gases. This category of inhalants includes medical anesthetics like ether, chloroform, halothane, and nitrous oxide (known as “laughing gas”) but also gases used in household or commercial products such as whipped cream dispensers, butane lighters, propane tanks, and refrigerants.
• Nitrites. Unlike most other inhalants, nitrites do not affect the central nervous system but dilate blood vessels and relax the muscles. Nitrites include cyclohexyl nitrite, isoamyl (amyl) nitrite, and isobutyl (butyl) nitrite.

Indifferent to how are inhalants abused, they have a quick effect similar to that of an anesthetic, slowing down body functions. The consumer may experience slight stimulation or disinhibition. Most inhalants are used to alter the mood, but nitrites are primarily used as sexual enhancers. Inhalant users will typically go for any inhalant, but sometimes they might develop a preference for one, as they all have different effects.

Prevalence of Inhalant Abuse Among Adults

As inhalant abuse is more frequent and especially worrisome among teenagers, not much data is available on adults´ consumption. The 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows that:

• Among people aged 12 or older, about 2.2 million people reported using inhalants in the past 12 months.
• Among people aged 12 or older, about 350.000 people reported using inhalants in the past 12 months.

Additionally, older reports show that inhalant abuse is more or less equally present for males and females. Research also shows that inhalant abuse is especially prevalent in some subpopulations, like the poor, mentally ill, and juvenile and criminal-justice involved. This can be explained by the accessibility of inhalants and their availability for the groups in question. 

Why Are Inhalants Widely Abused?

The prevalence of inhalant abuse is high, and the question naturally posing itself is: why are inhalants widely abused? Every person has their own motive for any substance use, but there are at least three reasons inhalants are this popular:

1. Accessibility and availability. Inhalants are widely available because they are very diverse. Spray paint, glue, felt-tip markers, and gasoline are just some of the examples of everyday products anyone can get their hands on. Inhalants can be found at home, at the workplace, or at school. They are household or industry products, making them not only easily available but also legal to obtain or hold. Finally, they are cheap, which can explain their popularity for some marginalized groups. 
2. Ease of use. Unlike illicit drugs, for which it becomes very obvious one is abusing them, with inhalants, there are discrete methods of consumption, making it easy for users to hide their maladaptive behavior. Due to their accessibility and price, there can be no behavioral changes in the beginning, as people can easily obtain and discreetly use them.  
3. Immediate and intense effect. Finally, inhalants produce an immediate and intense effect. Due to their diversity, the effects differ, but they are frequently compared to alcohol intoxication. The effects are, however, short-lived, which is why, in search of a new high, a serious inhalant abuse problem may develop. 

How Are Inhalants Abused?

Inhalants are, as the name suggests, inhaled through either the nose or mouth. There are several ways to do that:

• Sniffing, or snorting, refers to inhaling directly from the container. For example, you could sniff nail polish by simply putting it next to your nose and inhaling. This method requires no equipment. Some substances may burn or inflame the nose, causing damage and scars. Snorting or sniffing can also cause nosebleeds and a loss of the ability to smell.
• Bagging means inhaling fumes from substances sprayed on or deposited inside a plastic or paper bag. Almost any spray can be used in this way, including deodorants, air fresheners, and hairsprays. Some users may place the bag around their mouth, while others may place it over their heads and inhale, increasing the risk of suffocation. 
• Spraying implies any spray being sprayed directly into the mouth or nose. Some try to put a towel between the spray and the face to minimize the lung damage. This method of inhalant abuse is most commonly associated with sudden sniffing death syndrome. When the name dusting is used, it refers to the fact that a dust remover is being inhaled. The term glading is being used when the substance in question is an air freshener. 
• Huffing: An inhalant-soaked rag is either put over the nose and mouth or even stuffed in the mouth. This intensifies the effect of the inhalant. The risk is not only suffocation but also asphyxiation. People can choke on the rag or choke on vomit if the rag blocks the mouth. Both sprays and liquids can be inhaled this way. 
• Ballooning involves inhaling nitrous oxide (the laughing gas) from balloons. The substance is released from its container into the balloon, and then the gas is inhaled. The effects are intense because it’s difficult to control how quickly the gas leaves the balloon. There´s a risk of damaging the lungs and causing frostbite. 

Typical signs of any of these methods of inhalant abuse are the tools used for them, like paper bags smelling of glue, many empty spray bottles, or soaked rags. People, especially adolescents and college students, may try to hide it, making it increasingly important to learn how to help adult child with addiction. 

Impact of Inhalant Abuse

Inhalants are a very diverse group of substances, and they may produce various pharmacological effects. Most of them produce a quick high, similar to alcohol intoxication. Initial excitation is followed by drowsiness, disinhibition, lightheadedness, and agitation. 

During or shortly after use, there can be additional effects. They may include belligerence, apathy, impaired judgment, and impaired functioning in work or social situations. Nausea and vomiting are common side effects as well. These effects are related to inhalant intoxication. 

Higher dosages of inhalants can cause confusion and delirium. People may experience dizziness, drowsiness, slurred speech, lethargy, depressed reflexes, general muscle weakness, and stupor. 

If used for extended periods of time or in high dosages, inhalants can cause additional effects. Some long-term effects of inhalant abuse are liver and kidney damage, the loss of coordination, spasms in your arms and legs, delayed behavioral development, and brain damage. 

Some effects of inhalants are reversible, and the organism goes back to its previous state after ceasing to use them. Some effects are not reversible, leaving a person with permanent damage, which is why inhalant abuse can have seriously detrimental consequences.

If you are recognizing inhalant abuse problems in yourself or your loved ones, the best first step for seeking help is searching online for “addiction rehab centers near me“.

Prevention and Treatment

One of the ways to address inhalant abuse is by preventing it. Studies have discovered that important risk factors for inhalant abuse among middle and high school students include low levels of parental education. Teaching both youngsters and adults about the dangers and harms of inhalant abuse is a solid start for fighting the often-forgotten inhalant crisis. 

For those struggling with inhalant addiction, treatments and programs are available.  Inhalants affect not only the body but also the mind, a strong correlation between addiction and relationships. It´s important to address those psycho-social aspects of addiction as well. There are several treatment options, including evidence-based psychotherapy, motivational interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other.

We strongly advise group treatments, such as 12-step programs, support groups, and family therapy in addiction treatment. Counseling is highly beneficial for some, while others with more severe addictions can benefit from residential programs.

Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information and support.

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Seek Help for Inhalant Abuse

Although most frequently mentioned as a substance abuse problem among adolescents, we ought not to forget that adults, especially those from marginalized groups, can look for relief from their daily struggles with inhalant abuse. Even occasional inhaling can cause damage and problems, not to mention the risks it brings. Long-term and intense use poses great risks for one´s physical and mental health, and as such, it cannot be ignored.

We Level Up Lawrenceville NJ team is here to assist you with information, advice, and specialized treatments for any type of substance abuse. Call us today and get your life back on track!

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