Inhalants refer to substances that are sniffed or huffed to give the user an immediate head rush or high. They include a diverse group of chemicals that are found in consumer products such as aerosols and cleaning solvents. According to a recent survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, inhalant use among all grades has risen steadily since 1991. Nearly 20 percent of all adolescents report using inhalants at least once in their lives. Current use is highest among eight graders. Inhalant use can cause a number of physical and emotional problems, and even one-time use can result in death.
People using inhalants frequently do risky or humiliating things they later regret.
Using inhalants even just one time can put you at risk for:
Sudden death
Suffocation
Visual hallucinations and severe mood swings
Numbness and tingling of hands and feet
Prolonged use can result in:
Headache, muscle weakness, abdominal pain
Decrease or loss of sense of smell
Nausea and nosebleeds
Hepatitis
Violent Behavior
Irregular heartbeat
Liver, lung, and kidney impairment
Brain damage
Nervous system damage
Dangerous chemical imbalances in the body
Involuntary passing of urine and feces
For Poisoning Emergencies Call 1-800-222-1222 V/TTY
