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Inhalants are a broad range of drugs in the forms of gases, aerosols, or solvents that are breathed in and absorbed through the lungs. While some inhalant drugs are used for medical purposes, as in the case of nitrous oxide (a dental anaesthetic), this article focuses on the non-medical use of inhalants, as recreational drugs that are used for their intoxicating effect. Most inhalant drugs that are used non-medically are ingredients in household or industrial chemical products that are not intended to be concentrated and inhaled, including organic solvents (found in cleaning products, fast-drying glues, and nail polish removers), fuels (gasoline (petrol) and kerosene) and propellant gases such as freon and compressed hydrofluorocarbons that are used in aerosol cans such as hairspray, whipped cream and non-stick cooking spray. A small number of recreational inhalant drugs are pharmaceutical products that are used illicitly, such as anaesthetics (ether and nitrous oxide) and volatile anti-angina drugs (alkyl nitrites). Inhalant users tend to be people who do not have access to other drugs or alcohol, such as children, teenagers, incarcerated or institutionalized people, and marginalized individuals. The most serious inhalant abuse occurs among children and teens who "...live on the streets completely without family ties." Inhalant users inhale vapor or aerosol propellant gases using plastic bags held over the mouth or by breathing from a solvent-soaked rag or an open container. The effects of inhalants range from an alcohol-like intoxication and intense euphoria to vivid hallucinations, depending on the substance and the dosage. Some inhalant users are injured due to the harmful effects of the solvents or gases, or due to other chemicals used in the products that they are inhaling. As with any recreational drug, users can be injured due to dangerous behavior while they are intoxicated, such as driving under the influence. In some cases, users have died from hypoxia (lack of oxygen), pneumonia, cardiac failure or arrest, or aspiration of vomit. From Wikipedia under the
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 teens.drugabuse.gov 278px x 200px | 17.50kB [source page] Changes in the Brain Damage from long term use of inhalants can slow or stop nerve cell activity in some parts of the brain This might happen in the frontal From Yahoo Image Search: "Inhalants"  dentalplans.com unknown hu, 13 Mar 2008 14:05:38 GM In the past year, 3.4 percent of 12-year-olds report using an . inhalant. , while only 1.1 percent tried marijuana, and 2.7 percent took prescription painkillers. That trend continued with 13-year-olds, with 4.8 percent using . inhalants. , ...  download.ncadi.samhsa.gov unknown Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:56:24 GM SAMHSA supports National . Inhalants. and Poisons Awareness Week (NIPAW) and its efforts to increase understanding about the use and risks of . inhalants. . NIPAW is sponsored by the National . Inhalant. Prevention Coalition (NIPC). ...  thaiholidaytravel.com News man Sun, 28 Jun 2009 06:13:13 GM Can hairspray, whipped cream, deodorant, spray paint, or gasoline be dangerous? Sure. These chemicals are poisons when used improperly. Improper use of these common household products as . inhalants. can cause a quick and dangerous high. From Google Blog Search: "Inhalants" |
The National Inhalant Prevention Coalition
Inhalants: FAQs
