 Inhalant:
A volatile substance which produces
chemical vapors and is inhaled
 Produce
a mind altering affect on the body
 Several
different classifications:
 Volatile
Solvents
 Aerosols
 Gases
 Liquids
 Found
that vaporize at room temperature
in many common household products
 Examples




Paint thinner
Glue
Permanent markers
Gasoline
A
substance enclosed under pressure, able to
release a fine spray by means of a propellant
gas
 Found
in many common household products
 Examples




Spray paint
Cleaning products
Cooking spray
Deodorant
 Nitrous

Oxide is most commonly abused gas
Laughing gas
 Found
in whipped cream containers
 Other
abused gases include:



Butane lighters
Propane tanks
Refrigerants
 Inhaled
through the nose or mouth by several
different methods
 Sniffing or snorting fumes from containers
 Spraying aerosols directly into nose or mouth
 Bagging

Spraying a substance into a bag and inhaling the
fumes
 Huffing

Breathing through an inhalant soaked rag
 “Inhaled
chemicals are absorbed rapidly into
the bloodstream through the lungs and are
quickly distributed to the brain and other
organs. Within seconds of inhalation, the
user experiences intoxication along with
other effects similar to those produced by
alcohol. Alcohol-like effects may include
slurred speech; the inability to coordinate
movements; euphoria; and dizziness. In
addition, users may experience
lightheadedness, hallucinations, and
delusions.”

Source: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/inhalants/how-are-inhalants-used
 “Inhalant
abusers risk an array of other
devastating medical consequences. The
highly concentrated chemicals in solvents or
aerosol sprays can induce irregular and rapid
heart rhythms and lead to fatal heart failure
within minutes of a session of prolonged
sniffing. This syndrome, known as "sudden
sniffing death," can result from a single
session of inhalant use by an otherwise
healthy young person. Sudden sniffing death
is associated particularly with the abuse of
butane, propane, and chemicals in aerosols.”

Source: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/inhalants/how-are-inhalants-used
Asphyxiation — from repeated inhalations that
lead to high concentrations of inhaled fumes,
which displace available oxygen in the lungs
 Suffocation — from blocking air from entering
the lungs when inhaling fumes from a plastic bag
placed over the head
 Convulsions or seizures — from abnormal
electrical discharges in the brain
 Coma — from the brain shutting down all but the
most vital functions
 Choking — from inhalation of vomit after
inhalant use
 Fatal injury — from accidents, including motor
vehicle fatalities, suffered while intoxicated

 Chemical
odor on breath or clothing
 Paint or stains on hands/face/clothes
 Hidden empty spray paint containers or rags
 Drunk or disoriented appearance
 Slurred speech
 Inattentiveness
 Lack of coordination
 Depression
 Talk
with the user about the risks associated
with inhalant abuse
 Talk to a trusted adult
 Seek professional help


Counselor
School nurse

Compared with the brain of an individual with no history of inhalant
abuse (A), that of a chronic toluene abuser (B) is smaller and fills less of
the space inside the skull (the white outer circle in each image).
Courtesy of Neil Rosenberg, M.D., NIDA Research Report (NIH 05-3818).
Please put your first and last name and section
on your paper.
 Write in complete sentences
1) In your own words define Inhalants

2)
What are the three main types of inhalants?
3)
What are three health risks associated with
inhalant abuse?
4)
What are three signs that someone may be
using inhalants?
 http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/res
earch-reports/inhalants/