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Inhalants Fast Facts

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Inhalants Fast Facts What are inhalants? account for a large portion of the Long-term abusers experience additional inhalant abuse in the United States. problems including weight loss, muscle Inhalants are chemical vapors that Data reported in the National weakness, disorientation, inattentive- produce mind-altering effects when Household Survey on Drug Abuse ness, lack of coordination, irritability, users inhale them by sniffing or indicate that an estimated 1.9 million and depression. Individuals who cease snorting. These chemical vapors are U.S. residents aged 12 and older used abuse of inhalants often endure with- found in more than 1,000 household inhalants at least once in the past year. drawal symptoms such as sweating, products and typically belong to several The survey further revealed that rapid pulse, hand tremors, insomnia, broad categories: volatile solvents 833,000 individuals aged 12 to 17 and nausea or vomiting, hallucinations, and (paint thinner, gasoline, correction 729,000 individuals aged 18 to 25 used grand mal seizures. fluid, glue), aerosols (paint, deodorant, inhalants in the past year. hair spray), gases (ether, chloroform, Chronic inhalant abuse may cause nitrous oxide), and nitrites (cyclohexyl Inhalant abuse among high school serious and sometimes irreversible nitrite, amyl nitrite, and butyl nitrite). students is a particular concern. Nearly damage to the user’s heart, liver, kid- 12 percent of high school seniors in neys, lungs, and brain. Brain damage How are they abused? the United States used an inhalant at may result in personality changes, least once in their lifetime, and nearly diminished cognitive functioning, Individuals may inhale chemical 5 percent used an inhalant in the past memory impairment, and slurred vapors directly from open containers or year, according to the University of speech. from rags that have been soaked in a Michigan’s Monitoring the Future Survey. chemical substance then held to the Death can occur after a single use of inhalants or after prolonged use. face or stuffed in the mouth. Abuse of Whatare the risks? inhalants is commonly referred to as Sudden sniffing death (SSD) may result “huffing.” Other methods include Side effects associated with the abuse within minutes of inhalant abuse from spraying aerosols directly into the nose of inhalants include dizziness, strong irregular heart rhythm leading to heart or mouth or pouring inhalants onto the hallucinations, delusions, belligerence, failure. user’s collar, sleeves, or cuffs and apathy, and impaired judgment. sniffing them over a period of time. Fumes also may be inhaled from Products Used as Inhalants substances sprayed or deposited inside Volatile Solvents Aerosols Gases Nitrites a paper or plastic bag—a process known as bagging. Users also inhale Paint thinner Paint Nitrous oxide Cyclohexyl nitrite from balloons filled with nitrous oxide (found in room deodorizers) or other devices, commonly referred to Correction fluid Deodorant Ether Amyl nitrite as snappers and poppers, in which (sold in small capsules) inhalants are sold. Gasoline Hair products Chloroform Butyl nitrite (sold in small bottles) Who abuses inhalants? Felt-tip markers Cooking products Nail polish and remover Fabric protector Individuals of all ages use inhal- Rubber cement ants, but teenagers and young adults Street Terms for Inhalants Amys Gluey Moon gas Other products of interest: Bang Hardware Pearls , Huffing—The Abuse of Inhalants Bolt Head cleaner Poor man’s pot , Prescription Drug Abuse and Youth Boppers Hippie crack Poppers , Drugs,Youth, and the Internet Inhalants Bullet Huff Rush Climax Kick Snappers Fast Facts Glading Locker room Whippets Are inhalants illegal? For more information on illicit drugs check out our web site at: The common household prod- ucts that are misused as inhalants www.usdoj.gov/ndic are legally available for their intended and legitimate uses. However, 46 states have enacted legislation designed to prevent products that are commonly used National Drug Intelligence Center as inhalants from being sold to 319 Washington Street, 5th Floor minors. Johnstown, PA 15901-1622 Telephone: 814-532-4601 Check out Fast Facts on: , FAX: 814-532-4690 , Crack cocaine NDIC Washington Liaison Office Crystal methamphetamine 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 1001 , GHB and analogs McLean, VA 22102-3840 , Heroin Telephone: 703-556-8970 , FAX: 703-556-7807 Questions , Jimsonweed , Ketamine NDIC publications are available on the following web sites: , Khat ADNET http://ndicosa and , LSD LEO home.leo.gov/lesig/ndic Marijuana RISS ndic.riss.net , MDMA INTERNET www.usdoj.gov/ndic Answers , Methamphetamine Call 814-532-4541 , PCP , Powdered cocaine to request NDIC products National Drug Intelligence Center , Prescription drugs a component of the , Yaba NDIC Product No. 2003-L0559-010 U.S. Department of Justice Cover photo: DEA 061003.
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  • Preventing Inhalant Abuse
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