Physiological Effects Caused by Inhalants Abuse

Inhalant abuse refers to the inhalation of fumes, vapors or gases to produce a mood altering effect or euphoria. Due to their non-invasive nature and inherent ease of use, an increasing number of teenagers and young adults are turning to inhalants for drug abuse. Common methods of inhalation abuse include huffing & sniffing. Inhalants abused can either be gases or aerosols containing many different chemicals like toluene, ethyl acetate, hexane, methyl chloride, butane, hydrocarbons etc. Their effects usually begin within two seconds of inhalation and may last for a few seconds or several minutes.

Various physiological effects of inhalant abuse: Kids are under the assumption that there are no perils associated with sniffing these products that they can easily find in their homes. Unfortunately, the consequences of using inhalants, as they are called, can be extremely dangerous and sometimes deadly, depending upon the type of inhalant abused.

Neuropathy: Inhalants may cause widespread and long lasting effects on the brain and other parts of the nervous system. The neurotoxic effects of prolonged inhalant abuse include neurological syndromes that reflect damage to parts of the brain involved in controlling cognition, movement, vision, and hearing. Brain damage, which can lead to personality changes, impaired memory, hallucinations, loss of coordination and difficulty in walking, slurred speech and vision problems.

Cardiovascular complications: Prolonged sniffing of the highly concentrated chemicals in solvents or aerosol sprays can induce irregular and rapid heart rhythms and lead to heart failure and death within minutes. Various nitrites & methylene chlorides found in paint thinners and varnishes may cause blood oxygen depletion which may result in blackouts. Benzene, which is a known carcinogen, is used in gasoline and may also lead to bone marrow damage resulting in anemia.

Respiratory complications: People who use inhalants can lose their sense of smell; experience nausea and nosebleeds; and develop various respiratory problems. When large amounts of inhalants are inhaled, these products may deprive the body of the oxygen needed to survive, which may lead to asphyxiation & choke a person to death! Inhalant users can die by suffocation, choking on their vomit, or by heart attack.

Muscular dystrophy: Chronic use of inhalants can lead to muscle wasting and reduced muscle tone and strength. Heavy inhalant use may also lead to hand tremors & muscle cramps. Hexane (found in gasoline and glues), or nitrous oxide (present in some gas cylinders) may lead to numbness, tingling or spasms.

Other Organs: Inhalants also are highly toxic to many other organs. It can produce significant damage to lungs, kidneys & liver. While Toluene (found in spray paints and glues) can cause liver disorders and kidney disorders, it along with trichloroethylene (used in cleaning and correction fluids) can lead to hearing loss.

Behavioral Effects: This might include hallucinations, nausea, excessive sweating, headaches, chills and delirium i.e. usually a brief state of excitement and mental confusion often accompanied by hallucinations.

As with other drugs, inhalant abuse can be addictive and may lead to various withdrawal symptoms, an effective treatment of which may require specialized rehabs!