Inhalants Addiction

Inhalants refer to the vapors from toxic substances which are inhaled to reach a quick high and is beyond the scope of lay men to imagine that many household and common products such as shoe polish, glue, toluene, gasoline, lighter fluid, spray paint, correction fluid, nitrous oxide or “whippets/laughing gas”, locker room deodorizers or “rush” and other paint solvents can be abused as inhalants, most of which produce effects similar to anesthetics which slow down the functioning of the body by causing loss of inhibition followed by drowsiness, light headedness and agitation. Irreversible physical and mental damage may also be caused by the use of inhalants as the chemicals are rapidly absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream before reaching the brain and other organs.

The chemical vapors are inhaled directly from open containers (sniffing)or the fumes are breathed through rags soaked in chemicals (huffing) while some users directly pour the substance into the nose or onto their collars, sleeves and cuffs and sniff them periodically. Further, the user may also inhale the fumes from substances inside a paper or plastic bag (bagging) which greatly increases the risk of suffocation.

Nitrous Oxide and amyl nitrate,(whose composition of poisonous chemicals permanently damage the body and brain cells) may also be sold at concerts and dance clubs. Inhalants work by starving the body of oxygen and forcing the heart beat to move irregularly and more rapidly thus resulting in loss of sense of hearing and smell, slurred speech, hallucinations and delusions, impaired judgment, diminished intelligence, nosebleeds while chronic use reduces muscle tone and inflicts damage to the lungs and the immune system while also harming the liver and the kidneys. “The Sniffing Death Syndrome” can cause death of the abuser on the 100^th or even the first time as oxygen in the lungs is replaced by chemicals introduced in the central nervous system.

Inhalants are physically and psychologically addictive in nature as continued usage after many days result in a strong urge to continue usage of such chemicals since the withdrawal symptoms are varied ranging from muscle cramps, headaches, hallucinations, agitation and chills, and in severe cases cause convulsions. They are the most commonly abused form of drugs amongst teens after marijuana.

(In Karachi, Pakistan 80 to 90 per cent of street kids sniff glue or solvents  while in Nairobi, Kenya almost all of the children living in the streets are addicted to some form of inhalants)