Inhalants are substances that produce chemical vapors that are mind-altering when inhaled. These substances are common household, industrial, or medical products. Most people don't think of them as drugs because they are not meant to be used in that way.
Inhalants include:
These substances can be inhaled in different ways. For example, aerosols can be sprayed directly into the nose or mouth. Nitrous oxide can be inhaled directly from balloons. Terms for the way inhalants are used include:
When inhalants are breathed, they can cause:
The effects last only a few minutes.
After heavy use of an inhalant, the person may have a headache and feel drowsy for several hours. A person who inhales repeatedly over several hours may pass out and die.
Inhaling some substances can cause long-term health problems, such as brain, liver, kidney, blood, or bone marrow damage. Long-term use of inhalants also causes:
Inhalants are often not found with urine or blood drug screening tests. They have usually been passed from the body by the time the test is done.
Signs that a person may be using inhalants include:
Long-term health problems, such as brain, liver, kidney, blood, or bone marrow damage, can occur from inhaling some substances. Long-term use of inhalants also causes:
Inhalants are often not detected with urine or blood drug screening tests, because they have usually been eliminated from the body by the time the test is done.
When inhalants are breathed, they cause symptoms similar to those of drinking alcohol. These may include slurred speech, lack of coordination, and dizziness. A person can become lightheaded and may have hallucinations and delusions. The effects last only a few minutes. After heavy use of an inhalant, a person may have a headache and feel drowsy for several hours. A person who inhales repeatedly over several hours can lose consciousness and die.
Signs that a person may be using inhalants include:
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