Inhalants

Household products and other nontraditional mood-altering substances

Household products-volatile solvents: glue,

paint thinner, paint, gasoline, hairsprays,
nail polish remover, liquid correction fluid,
lighter fluid, deodorant (aerosol products
in general), marking pens, freon and others.
Mechanism of action varies, but acts as a
CNS depressant. Probably most
similar in effect to alcohol but effects
vary.

Inhalants
Used primarily by children because theyre:
CHEAP
Accessible- older teens avoid them

Often a gateway drug- peer pressure an influence

User generally inhales vapors from a container,
called huffing
About 20% of 8th graders have tried in their life.
Use highest among this age group (2004).

Inhalants

A CNS depressant most like

ETOH but MORE DANGEROUS
Intoxication can last minutes or
hours
Lightheadedness, lack of
coordination, disorientation and
possibly hallucinations
Heart arrhythmia, asphyxiation,
brain damage, death, damage to
kidneys

long term damage

memory and reasoning ability

impaired
psychological
problems/depression
permanent lung, kidney, and liver
damage
death (asphyxiation) as vapors
displace oxygen in the lungs
death (suffocation)- oxygen
blocked from entering lungs when
inhaling fumes from a bag placed
over the head
convulsions and/or seizures
compulsive use (loss of control) &
mild withdrawal symptoms

Anesthetics - Delivered as
Gasses or I.V. Solutions
Examples: nitrous oxide, ether,
clorophorm, butane (from lighters),
propane (gas grills)
Some are difficult to obtain
Lets look at nitrous oxide

Nitrous Oxide
(Laughing Gas)
Colorless,odorless, non-flammable and sweettasting
Used for last 100 years, common in minor
outpatient surgery by physicians & dentists
NOT a potent anesthetic, given with oxygen with
50% or greater drug-to-air ratio. Effects wear off
quickly.
Inhaled from cylinders, balloons or aerosal spray
cans
Primary abusers: health care professionals and
their staff

Nitrous Oxide
(Laughing Gas)

Nitrous Oxide
(Laughing Gas)
Effects of nitrous oxide

Auditory hallucinations, giddiness, euphoria, disinhibition

Dangerous when taken in high concentration (20% or less
oxygen)
Possible brain damage or death, prevents intake of
oxygen into brain cells-15 deaths in 1994. Death is
caused by the inhalant displacing oxygen, resulting in
asphyxiation
Chronic exposure (workplace) leads to higher risk of
infertility, birth defects or spontaneous abortion

Nitrous Oxide
(Laughing Gas)
Uses of nitrous oxide

medicine/dentistry about 90%

food processing about 6-7%
auto racing/manufacturing about 3-4%

Not listed as a hazardous substance, sold legally

for use in food processing. If labeled as a drug,
possession without a prescription is a fine
Wisconsin legislature considering legislation to
define it as a hazardous substance with penalties
for recreational use or sale

Nitrates- amyl and butyl

nitrate often used as sexual
enhancers
Glass vials or ampures easily broken
Amyl nitrate

long used to relieve pain of angina pectoris

when inhaled, dialates blood vessels in the heart, brain,
and other organs
used/abused by some to prolong intercourse-popular
among gay men
called poppers, rush
abused in non-sexual situations for the brief high
resulting from a drop in blood pressure
banned by Congress in 1990
studies link nitrites with Kaposis Sarcoma-not sure why

Nitrates- amyl and butyl

nitrate often used as
sexual enhancers
How are they used?
Sniffing/snorting fumes from container
Spraying aerosols directly into nose or mouth
Bagging inhaling fumes from substances
deposited in paper/plastic bag
Huffing inhalant-soaked rag stuffed in the
mouth
Inhaling from balloon filled with nitrous oxide

In general, science is not sure exactly what the

mechanism of action is with inhalants. They may
have differing ways of altering the mind and body,
depending on the inhalant used. In some cases
cross-tolerance develops while not in others.
Some have addictive potential and can create
physical dependence. One of the problems we
have with inhalants is how to try to prevent
abuse without providing how to information to
the kids.

THE END