Inhalants

The use of inhalants is becoming more and more popular. The act of using inhalants is sometimes referred as "drug sniffing" or "choofing". Using inhalants, even if they are common household products, can be very dangerous and parents are often not really aware that it is happening. It is often young teenagers who use them. Find out more about what inhalants are, the health problems from using them and how best to help your children.

What to do if someone is on inhalants:

• If someone is unconscious call an ambulance right away.
• If someone is affected by inhalants:
  • do not upset or frighten them because if they run away or get very stressed after using inhalants it can be dangerous (stress plus inhalants can cause heart rhythm problems)
  • remove the inhalant
  • move them into a safe place if needed, take them into the fresh air, or open windows if the person cannot be moved
  • lay the person on the side (the 'coma' position or 'side stable' position) to prevent inhaling vomit.

What are inhalants?

• Inhalants are usually common products, easy to obtain, with some kind of "fumes" or gas that can be breathed in and cause changes in the body and/or mind.
• They are usually not banned drugs; rather they are legal products that are quite safe if they are used as intended by the manufacturer.
• Most inhalants are depressants. Depressants are substances that slow down the brain.
• When people "choof" or "sniff" a volatile substance (something that evaporates into the air), the chemicals move very quickly into the lungs. From there they then go into the bloodstream, around the body and to the brain.
• The chemicals in the blood slow down the messages in the brain and through the central nervous system. This is what gives the feeling of a "high".

• Inhalants are breathed in through the nose or mouth.
• Sometimes the inhalant is sprayed onto a cloth and inhaled from the cloth; othertimes it is inhaled from a container.
• Some young people breathe the fumes from a plastic bag. It is very dangerous to breathe anything from a plastic bag - it can result suffocation.

What do people use to inhale?

The following are some of the things that are easily obtained by young people and which are dangerous to inhale:

• Petrol (gasoline)
• Glue (adhesives)
• Paint and paint thinners
• Hair spray
• Cleaning fluid
• Gas from lighters or barbecues (butane)
• Nail polish remover
• Felt pens
• Cooking spray
• Typewriter correction fluid
• Oven cleaners

Nitrous oxide

Nitrous oxide is an inhalant that parents may not be aware of. Nitrous oxide is used by doctors and dentists as an anesthetic. It is also used in the food industry, as a propellant for some foods such as cream, which is sprayed on to cakes etc, and young people may be able to obtain nitrous oxide from these sources. It comes in small silver canisters. Nitrous oxide gives a "high" feeling because it depresses the nervous system. It also can cause dizziness, numbness, ringing in the ears, raised body temperature and unusual sensations. A person who loses consciousness and is still sniffing nitrous oxide (e.g. using it in a small space) can die very quickly. The gas replaces oxygen in the blood and affects the part of the brain that is responsible for breathing. If the person does not become unconscious and stops sniffing the nitrous oxide they can recover quickly. Long term use of nitrous oxide can cause deficiency in vitamin B12, anemia and nerve problems.

EffectsEffects from using inhalants occur very rapidly and may include feeling:

• slightly drunk
• less inhibited
• excited and happy - followed by feeling sleepy
• nervous and "jumpy"
• sick
• reckless - taking risks without thinking about the dangers.

• If the inhaled substance is in a pressurized can when the gas is released from the container, its temperature drops quickly, so if it is inhaled straight from the container it can cause freezing damage to the mouth, nose, throat and even the lungs. It can cause nosebleeds or bleeding, and soreness to other parts of the skin.

• Vomiting
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Slurred speech
• Sore eyes or double vision
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Flu-like symptoms - runny nose, sneezing, coughing
• Unpleasant breath - you may be able to smell the inhalant on their breath
• Nosebleeds
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing or feeling things that are not there)
• Sores around the mouth and nose.

Long term effects

Inhalants can do serious damage to the body if they are used over time. Over time users need to use more and more to get the same high feeling.

• Ongoing feelings of tiredness, depression, confusion, irritability, or thinking that other people are against them (paranoia)
• Brain damage
• Hearing loss
• If leaded petrol is used; the lead in the petrol can build up in the body and damage internal organs, particularly the brain.
• Lack of co-ordination - not being able to use your body very well, e.g. write, hit a ball.
• Damage to the liver and kidneys.
• Drinking alcohol while using inhalants can make the damage to the body worse.

Inhalants can cause death

Inhalants can cause death by:

• suffocation from inhaling from a plastic bag
• choking on their own vomit
• heart failure from hard exercise or a sudden shock after inhaling. This is one of the main causes of death from inhalants. The chemicals make the heart beat faster and the beat is not regular, then it can suddenly stop - cardiac arrest
• injuries due to risk taking (such as lying on a road)
• asphyxia - the inhaled gases can cause a person to die from lack of oxygen
• suicide - from feeling depressed after a high.

Withdrawal effects

Most inhalant damage stops when the person stops using them. Withdrawal effects don't usually happen unless the person has been using them very heavily. However petrol, cleaning fluids and aerosol sprays can cause permanent damage.

Why do people use them?

As with any drug there are different reasons why people may use them. Some reasons why young people use inhalants are:

• to be "tough" in front of their friends
• to try out something they haven't done before
• they find it exciting
• to show adults or authority figures they can do what they want
• so other people don't give them a hard time (group pressure)
• to escape from worries or problems
• they are cheaper and easier to get than alcohol.

Younger teenagers and young people who are not aware of the dangers of inhalants are more likely to use them.

How to tell if your child is using them

You may not know that your teenager is using inhalants but the following are some ways that might alert parents (although many of these things can have other causes).

• You can smell the substance on their breath.
• You can smell the substance on their clothing.
• There is paint or marks on their clothes.
• They look "glassy-eyed" or confused.
• Sneezing and sore throat or nose.
• Skin rashes from contact with the substance.
• There is a sudden change in behavior - irritable, excited, "jumpy".
• They may vomit or look ill.

Teenagers who use inhalants may also have behavior problems, learning problems in school and may become delinquent.

What you can do

It is not always possible to prevent young people from taking risks or experimenting with drugs such as inhalants but the following have been shown to be helpful.

• Set a good example. Children learn more from what you do than what you say. Don't use drugs yourself. Make sure your use of alcohol is not harming you or your family.
• Talk with your young people and listen to their ideas and feelings without judging.
• Help children learn to cope with pressure from friends and to feel OK about saying "No". Teach them ways to say "No" if they don't feel they can just say it, e.g. "I have to do something else now" or "Let's do..." Or "Are you crazy - that stuff can rot your brain?" - depending on the situation.
• Spend time with them - regularly - in a way that they are happy to spend time with you. Even driving them to sport or outings can be quality time.
• Give encouragement and support for their interests and hobbies.
• Let them know when you are proud of what they are doing.
• Show them that you trust them to make sensible choices. Give them practice in this, eg choosing their own clothes.
• Make sure they (and you) have information about drugs and their effects as well as about other issues. Answer questions about drugs honestly
• Make sure they know you love them even when things are tough.

• Often young people will have been using inhalants for some time before their parents find out. It is important to take time to think before you approach them. This will prevent the confrontation from happening in a way that makes things worse.
• The young person's relationship with his parents is one of the most important things to help them get over the habit or addiction.
• Get information for yourself about the inhalant they are using.
• Try to approach with concern for his health and well being rather than anger, which could drive him away.
• Listen to how he feels.
• If there are other personal, social, school or family problems support your child in dealing with them. Get counseling if you need to.
• It may be hard to stay off inhalants because they are so easy to get, so help your teenager to find ways to avoid having them always there.
• Help him to regain his old friendships with groups who do not use drugs.