Inhalants Addiction: Risks, Effects, and Evidence-Based Treatment

Inhalants are a group of substances that trigger mind-altering effects when inhaled. These substances are found in industrial and household products, and their misuse can provoke severe health complications, including brain damage, organ failure, and sudden death. Inhalant addiction, while less common than other forms of substance abuse, is especially dangerous, and it’s most prevalent among adolescents and young adults.

This page explores what inhalants are, their toxic effects, the risk of addiction, and how to connect with help for yourself or a loved one misusing these substances.

What are Inhalants?

Inhalants is an umbrella term for volatile substances that produce psychoactive effects when inhaled. Unlike other drugs, these substances are not typically designed for recreational or medical use. They’re found in aerosol sprays, paint thinners, and cleaning solutions. People inhale these substances to experience a fleeting high. This practice is known as huffing, sniffing, or bagging.

Types of inhalants

Inhalants can be categorized as follows:

1. Volatile solvents: These are liquid substances that evaporate at room temperature, such as gasoline, paint thinner, glue, and nail polish remover.
2. Aerosols: These include spray products like hairspray, deodorant, cooking sprays, and air fresheners.
3. Gases: This category of inhalants includes medical anesthetics like nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and chemicals found in butane lighters and propane tanks.
4. Nitrites: Nitrites, informally known as poppers, are used to enhance sexual experiences and include substances like amyl nitrite and isobutyl nitrite.

Physical and Mental Effects of Inhalants

Inhalants act quickly, prompting a short-lived high that resembles alcohol intoxication. The effects typically last only a few minutes, leading many people to inhale these substances repeatedly in a single session. While some young adults might view inhalants as a harmless way to get high, they can cause lasting and severe damage to the brain and body.

Short-term effects

Immediate effects of inhalants include:

• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Slurred speech
• Loss of coordination
• Euphoria
• Delusions
• Hallucinations
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Reckless or aggressive behavior

Long-term effects

Repeated inhalant use can cause long-term damage to the CNS (central nervous system) and organs. Some of the most serious effects include:

• Brain damage: Chronic inhalant use can bring about permanent changes in brain function, impacting memory, learning, and problem-solving skills.
• Heart and lung problems: Inhalants can cause irregular heartbeats, leading to sudden cardiac arrest, a condition known as sudden sniffing death syndrome.
• Liver and kidney damage: Long-term exposure to toxic chemicals in inhalants can lead to organ failure.
• Hearing and vision loss: Some inhalants damage the nerves that control hearing and vision, leading to permanent impairments.
• Muscle weakness and coordination problems: Sustained use of inhalants can bring on a condition known as chronic inhalant neuropathy, which causes muscle weakness and tremors.

What are the Risks of Inhalant Addiction?

Although inhalant addiction is less common than addiction to substances like alcohol or opioids, it’s still a pressing concern in the United States—of the 1 million people who used inhalants in 2023, 300,000 developed inhalant addiction. People who use these substances repeatedly may acquire both physical and psychological dependence.

Signs of inhalant addiction

The most common signs of inhalant addiction include:

• Using inhalants despite knowing the risks
• Failing to moderate or discontinue use
• Spending lots of time obtaining and using inhalants
• Losing interest in hobbies and activities
• Continuing to use the substances despite problems at home and work
• Needing more inhalants to feel the same effects
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when quitting

Recognizing the warning signs of inhalant abuse

Since inhalants are widely available in homes and stores, it can be challenging to determine when someone is misusing these substances. Here are some common red flags:

• Chemical smells on breath or clothing 
• Paint stains on the skin or around the mouth and nose
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Sores around the mouth
• Sudden mood changes, including aggression and irritability
• Dazed or intoxicated appearance without the smell of alcohol
• Poor coordination and slurred speech
• Unusual amounts of empty spray cans, plastic bags, or rags in their belongings

Dangers of Inhalant Overdose

One of the primary dangers of inhalant use is the risk of overdose, which can happen even after a single use. Inhalants affect the CNS, and high doses can slow brain function dangerously. Symptoms of overdose may include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Irregular or stopped breathing
• Extreme confusion
• Paranoia

Inhalant overdose can be fatal—sudden sniffing death syndrome can cause heart failure within minutes, even in those who have never used inhalants before.

Withdrawal Symptoms and Detox

Inhalant withdrawal is not as well-documented as withdrawal from other substances, but some people experience adverse outcomes when they stop using them. Symptoms of withdrawal might include:

• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Tremors
• Muscle cramps
• Hallucinations

Withdrawal from inhalants can be intensely uncomfortable, especially after ongoing use, so medical supervision is almost always beneficial.

Getting Help for Inhalant Addiction

If you or someone you know needs help moving beyond inhalant addiction, professional intervention is recommended. Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the addiction and any co-occurring mental health disorders. Options include:

• Medical detox: Medical professionals can monitor withdrawal symptoms and provide emotional support.
• Inpatient rehab: A structured, residential program where individuals receive therapy, medical care, and support in a drug-free environment.
• Outpatient treatment: A flexible treatment option that enables people to attend therapy and counseling while living at home.
• Behavioral therapy: Counseling methods like CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) can help people learn coping skills and address underlying emotional issues.
• Support groups: Groups like NA (Narcotics Anonymous) provide peer support and accountability for those dealing with addictions to inhalants and other substances.

Supporting a Loved One with Inhalant Addiction

If someone you care about Is battling inhalant addiction, it can be tricky to know how to help. Here’s what to do:

• Express concern without judgment: Avoid blaming or shaming. Let them know you care about their health and well-being.
• Encourage treatment: Offer to help research treatment options or attend an appointment with them.
• Set boundaries: Protect your well-being by setting clear limits on enabling behaviors.
• Stay patient and supportive: Recovery is an ongoing process that may not always be linear. It takes time and consistent effort, so be there to support your loved one’s journey.

Get Compassionate and Effective Treatment for Inhalants Addiction at Anchored Recovery Community

Inhalant addiction can have damaging and enduring effects, but recovery is achievable with personalized and evidence-based treatment—we can help you with this at Anchored Recovery Community.

When you choose one of our outpatient programs, you can engage with treatment at an appropriate level of intensity without needing to put your life on hold for 30 to 90 days. Instead, you’ll attend weekday or evening therapy sessions around your everyday commitments.

All our treatment plans are highly customized to reflect the unique presentation of inhalant addictions. We blend science-backed and holistic interventions at our beachside rehab center to promote whole-body healing.Kickstart your recovery with immediate assistance by calling (844) 429-5554.