Inhalants are breathable chemical vapors that produce psychoactive (mind-altering) effects. Although people are exposed to volatile solvents and other inhalants in the home and in the workplace, many do not think of these substances as drugs because most of them were never meant to be used in that way.
Young people are likely to abuse inhalants, in part because inhalants are readily available and inexpensive. Sometimes children unintentionally misuse inhalant products that are found in household products. Parents should see that these substances are monitored closely so that they are not inhaled by young children. Inhalants are “sniffed” from an open container or “huffed” from a rag soaked in the substance and held to the face. Inhalants fall into the following 3 categories:
Solvents
Industrial or household solvents or solvent-containing products, including paint thinners or solvents, degreasers (dry-cleaning fluids), gasoline, and glues
Art or office supply solvents, including correction fluids, felt-tip-marker fluid, and electronic contact cleaners
Gases
Gases used in household or commercial products, including butane lighters and propane tanks, whipping cream aerosols or dispensers (whippets), and refrigerant gases. Household aerosol propellants and associated solvents in items such as spray paints, hair or deodorant sprays, computer keyboard cleaning sprays, and fabric protector sprays are also being misused.
Medical anesthetic gases, such as ether, chloroform, halothane, and nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
Nitrites
Aliphatic nitrites, including cyclohexyl nitrite, which is available to the general public; amyl nitrite, which is available only by prescription; and butyl nitrite, which is now an illegal substance.
Using Inhalants, even just one time, Can Put You at Risk for:
· sudden death (presumably from cardiac arrest)
· suffocation (typically seen with inhalant users who use bags)
· asphyxia (solvent gases can significantly limit available oxygen)
Inhalants are breathable chemical vapors that produce psychoactive (mind-altering) effects. Although people are exposed to volatile solvents and other inhalants in the home and in the workplace, many do not think of these substances as drugs because most of them were never meant to be used in that way.
Young people are likely to abuse inhalants, in part because inhalants are readily available and inexpensive. Sometimes children unintentionally misuse inhalant products that are found in household products. Parents should see that these substances are monitored closely so that they are not inhaled by young children. Inhalants are “sniffed” from an open container or “huffed” from a rag soaked in the substance and held to the face. Inhalants fall into the following 3 categories:
Solvents
Industrial or household solvents or solvent-containing products, including paint thinners or solvents, degreasers (dry-cleaning fluids), gasoline, and glues
Art or office supply solvents, including correction fluids, felt-tip-marker fluid, and electronic contact cleaners
Gases
Gases used in household or commercial products, including butane lighters and propane tanks, whipping cream aerosols or dispensers (whippets), and refrigerant gases. Household aerosol propellants and associated solvents in items such as spray paints, hair or deodorant sprays, computer keyboard cleaning sprays, and fabric protector sprays are also being misused.
Medical anesthetic gases, such as ether, chloroform, halothane, and nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
Nitrites
Aliphatic nitrites, including cyclohexyl nitrite, which is available to the general public; amyl nitrite, which is available only by prescription; and butyl nitrite, which is now an illegal substance.
Using Inhalants, even just one time, Can Put You at Risk for:
· sudden death (presumably from cardiac arrest)
· suffocation (typically seen with inhalant users who use bags)
· asphyxia (solvent gases can significantly limit available oxygen)