| INHALANTS
Inhalants are a chemically diverse group of psychoactive
substances composed of organic solvents and volatile
substances commonly found in adhesives, lighter fluids,
cleaning fluids and paint products. Their easy accessibility,
low cost and ease of concealment make inhalants, for
many, one of the first substances abused. While not
regulated under the CSA, a few states place restrictions
on the sale of these products to minors. Studies have
indicated that between 5 percent and 15 percent of young
people in the United States have tried inhalants, although
the vast majority of these youngsters do not become
chronic abusers.
Inhalants may be sniffed directly from an open container
or "huffed" from a rag soaked in the substance
and held to the face. Alternatively, the open container
or soaked rag can be placed in a bag where the vapors
can concentrate before being inhaled. Although inhalant
abusers may prefer one particular substance because
of odor or taste, a variety of substances may be used
because of their similar effects, availability and cost.
Once inhaled, the extensive capillary surface of the
lungs allows rapid absorption of the substance, and
blood levels peak rapidly. Entry into the brain is so
fast that the effects of inhalation can resemble the
intensity of effects produced by intravenous injection
of other psychoactive drugs.
The effects of inhalant intoxication resemble those
of alcohol inebriation, with stimulation and loss of
inhibition followed by depression at high doses. Users
report distortion in perceptions of time and space.
Many users experience headache, nausea or vomiting,
slurred speech, loss of motor coordination and wheezing.
A characteristic "glue sniffer's rash" around
the nose and mouth may be seen. An odor of paint or
solvents on clothes, skin and breath is sometimes a
sign of inhalant abuse.
The chronic use of inhalants has been associated with
a number of serious health problems. Glue and paint
thinner sniffing in particular produce kidney abnormalities,
while the solvents, toluene and trichloroethylene, cause
liver toxicity. Memory impairment, attention deficits
and diminished non-verbal intelligence have been associated
with the abuse of inhalants.
Deaths resulting form heart failure, asphyxiation or
aspiration have occurred!
[Abstracted from D.E.A. website q.v.]
| INHALANTS
|
| Effects |
Inhalants refer to substances that
are either sniffed or huffed to give the user an
immediate high! They include a diverse group of
chemicals that are found in consumer products such
as aerosols and cleaning solvents. Across the U.S,
SAMHSA estimates that 889,000 people abused inhalants
in 1993, with young people making up 68% of that
total. Inhalant use can cause a number of emotional
and various physical problems. Even one time use
can result in death. In addition, inhalant use has
been shown to be a "gateway" to use of
more addictive drugs such as cocaine or heroin.
People using inhalants frequently do risky or humiliating
things they later regret. Long term use of inhalants
has been linked to irreversible brain damage!
[adapted with permission from http://www.drugdetection.com/inhalants.html]
|
| Incidence
of Abuse |
| Very common ... especially among middle school
& high school age youngsters. Remember, these
substances are not currenty in the testing system! |
| Other
Dangers |
| Prolonged use of inhalants can result in any
or all of the following:
- Headaches, muscle weakness, and abdominal
pain
- Complexion problems and skin damage
- Bronchitis and chronic lung problems
- Hepatitis
- Mood swings and/or violent behavior
- Suffocation
- Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.
- Sudden death!
|
| For
More Good Information: |
| Click here to see "A Parent's Guide to Preventing
Inhalant Abuse"
http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/mediaDetails.aspx?ID=19 |
| Any
Published Testing Protocols |
| [Please email if able to provide reference or
file.] |
|
