Inhalant

"Huffing" redirects here. For the 1978 song, see Huffin. For other uses, see Huff (disambiguation).
"Sniffing glue" redirects here. For the punk zine, see Sniffin' Glue.
Not to be confused with Inhaler.

Inhalant use
A man huffing an inhalant
SpecialtyToxicology
Complications
Differential diagnosisAlcoholism, inhaled anesthetics, marijuana abuse, tobacco smoking, crack cocaine, methamphetamines, medical inhalants, chasing the dragon

Inhalants are a broad range of household and industrial chemicals whose volatile vapors or pressurized gases can be concentrated and breathed in via the nose or mouth to produce intoxication, in a manner not intended by the manufacturer. They are inhaled at room temperature through volatilization (in the case of gasoline or acetone) or from a pressurized container (e.g., nitrous oxide or butane), and do not include drugs that are sniffed after burning or heating.[a]

While a few inhalants are prescribed by medical professionals and used for medical purposes, as in the case of inhaled anesthetics and nitrous oxide (an anxiolytic and pain relief agent prescribed by dentists), this article focuses on inhalant use of household and industrial propellants, glues, fuels, and other products in a manner not intended by the manufacturer, to produce intoxication or other psychoactive effects. These products are used as recreational drugs for their intoxicating effect. According to a 1995 report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the most serious inhalant use occurs among homeless children and teenagers who "live on the streets completely without family ties."[3] Inhalants are the only substance used more by younger teenagers than by older teenagers.[4] Inhalant users inhale vapor or aerosol propellant gases using plastic bags held over the mouth or by breathing from a solvent-soaked rag or an open container. The practices are known colloquially as "sniffing", "huffing" or "bagging".

The effects of inhalants range from an alcohol-like intoxication and intense euphoria to vivid hallucinations, depending on the substance and the dose. Some inhalant users are injured due to the harmful effects of the solvents or gases or due to other chemicals used in the products that they are inhaling. As with any recreational drug, users can be injured due to dangerous behavior while they are intoxicated, such as driving under the influence. In some cases, users have died from hypoxia (lack of oxygen), pneumonia, heart failure, cardiac arrest,[5] or aspiration of vomit. Brain damage is typically seen with chronic long-term use of solvents as opposed to short-term exposure.[6]

While legal when used as intended, in England, Scotland, and Wales it is illegal to sell inhalants to persons likely to use them as an intoxicant.[7] As of 2017, thirty-seven US states impose criminal penalties on some combination of sale, possession or recreational use of various inhalants. In 15 of these states, such laws apply only to persons under the age of 18.[8]

  1. ^ First, Michael B.; Tasman, Allan (2010). "Substance-Related Disorders: Inhalants". Clinical Guide to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Disorders. John Wiley and Sons. p. 203. ISBN 978-0-470-74520-5. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  2. ^ Sharp, Charles W; Rosenberg, Neil L (2005). "Inhalants". In Lowinson, Joyce H; Ruiz, Pedro; Millman, Robert B; Langrod, John G (eds.). Substance Abuse: A Comprehensive Textbook (4th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 0-7817-3474-6. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
  3. ^ Kozel, Nicholas; Sloboda, Zili; Mario De La Rosa, eds. (1995). Epidemiology of Inhalant Abuse: An International Perspective (PDF) (Report). National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA Research Monograph 148. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 October 2016.
  4. ^ "Inhalants". Drug Facts. National Institute on Drug Abuse. 16 February 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  5. ^ "Inhalants – Facts and Statistics". Greater Dallas Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse. 4 March 2006. Archived from the original on 8 April 2009.
  6. ^ Connors, Nicholas J. (5 May 2017). "Inhalants". Medscape. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  7. ^ "Glues, gases and aerosols | FRANK". Talk to Frank. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  8. ^ "Inhalant Laws By State, Which States Give Jail Time and Fines for Inhalant Abuse". National TASC. 11 November 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2023.


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