Patient Handouts
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Inhalant Dependence
What are inhalants?
Inhalants are chemicals that produce fumes. Examples are glue, paint thinner, and lighter fluid. Dependence means a person feels that they
cannot function without using the drug.
Children and teens abuse inhalants because they are easy to get and have mind-altering effects when sniffed or "huffed." These chemicals
reach the lungs and bloodstream very quickly and can be deadly. High concentrations of inhalant fumes can cause heart failure or
suffocation. Using inhalants with other depressant drugs such as alcohol or sleeping pills can be fatal.
Using inhalants regularly for a long time can cause permanent health problems. These include memory loss, brain damage, personality
changes, muscular weakness, fatigue, and nerve damage starting in the hands and feet. Inhalants permanently harm your liver, kidneys,
eyes, bone marrow, heart, and blood vessels.
Young people who use inhalants heavily may not learn how to solve problems, handle their emotions, or become responsible adults.
Children born to inhalant-abusing mothers may have growth and development problems.
What is the cause?
Inhalants change body chemistry, especially in the brain. At first you may use the drugs because you like the way they make you feel. You
are dependent on a drug if you feel you need it to function.
You have a higher risk of becoming dependent on inhalants if you:
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have ADHD, depression, or anxiety
have a family history of drug abuse
abuse other drugs
What are the symptoms?
You may be dependent on inhalants if you have been using them and:
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cannot control your movements, get clumsy, and slur your words
become psychotic (for example, think you can fly and injure yourself)
lose your sex drive or show odd sexual behavior
develop disturbed thinking or become paranoid
get depressed
start acting odd, suspicious, dramatic, or antisocial
use inhalants all through the day
have problems such as missing school or work, fighting, and losing friends
are not able to cut back or stop using inhalants even though you know they are hurting you
feel exhilarated ("high") and are hyperactive
have trouble making good decisions
get sleepy or move slowly
have ringing in the ears, dizziness, and blurred vision
get nervous, upset and disoriented
have headaches and chest and stomach pains
feel sick to your stomach and throw up
have weak muscles and trouble speaking
hallucinate (see or hear things that aren't there)
get aggressive and violent
How is it diagnosed?
Patient handouts provided by Merck Medicus. Copyright © 2012-2013 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.
Patient Handouts
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Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and substance use and examine you. A sample of your urine may be tested for drug
use.
How is it treated?
For any treatment to work, you must want to give up using inhalants.
If you have used inhalants for a long time, withdrawal is not easy. When you stop inhaling, you may go through withdrawal symptoms, such
as being irritable, restless, depressed, slow, and tired. You may get aggressive or have chills, headaches, and hallucinations. It is best to
stop use of inhalants under supervised care.
You may be prescribed medicines to treat agitation, anxiety, depression, mood changes, paranoia, or hearing voices.
How long will effects last?
Psychotherapy or drug rehab treatments do not always help people who abuse inhalants. Users often go back to abusing inhalants. Followup treatment is very important.
How can I take care of myself?
The best way to help yourself is to see your healthcare provider and stop using inhalants.
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Get support. Talk with family and friends. Consider joining a support group in your area.
Learn to manage stress. Ask for help at home and work when the load is too great to handle. Find ways to relax, for example
take up a hobby, listen to music, watch movies, take walks. Try deep breathing exercises when you feel stressed.
Take care of your physical health. Try to get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Eat a healthy diet. Limit caffeine. If you
smoke, quit. Avoid alcohol and drugs, because they can make your symptoms worse. Exercise according to your healthcare
provider's instructions.
Avoid situations where people are likely to use alcohol or drugs.
Check your medicines. To help prevent problems, tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all the medicines, natural
remedies, vitamins, and other supplements that you take.
Contact your healthcare provider or therapist if you have any questions or your symptoms seem to be getting worse.
If you or someone you know is seeking help for inhalant abuse, contact the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition at 1-800-269-4237 for
information on treatment centers.
Patient handouts provided by Merck Medicus. Copyright © 2012-2013 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.