What Are Inhalants Drugs? Short term & Long term effects of inhalants.

It is a volatile substance that produces vapors or more precisely chemical vapours which are inhaled to get a psychoactive, or mind-altering, effect.Generally you see categories : volatile solvents, aerosols, gases, and nitrites.This inhalants are often found in household, industrial, and medical products. Let understand below short term & long term effects of inhalants.

Categories of Inhalants Which May Have Short Term & Long Term Effects:

Volatile Solvents:  Liquids vaporized at room temperature are known as Volatile solvents.They are inexpensive, easily available for common industrial purposes & household. Paint removers & thinners,Gasoline, Dry-cleaning fluids,Correction fluids, Degreasers, Glues and felt-tip markers.

Aerosols:  include spray paints, deodorant and hair sprays,fabric protector sprays, vegetable oil sprays for cooking.

Gas: Medical anesthetics as well as gases used in household or commercial products are included in gases.Chloroform, Halothane & Nitrous oxide (popularly known as “laughing gas”).Most abused of these gases are Nitrous oxide .Nitrous oxide can be seen in whipped cream dispensers and in the products that boost octane levels in racing cars. Other types include refrigerants, butane lighters, propane tanks.

Nitrites: The special class of inhalants which are popular,Nitrates.Most of inhalants act directly on the central nervous system (CNS),where nitrites focus to dilate blood vessels and relax the muscles. Do you know? Most inhalants are used to alter mood while nitrites are used as sexual enhancers.Also,isobutyl (butyl) nitrite,cyclohexyl nitrite, isoamyl (amyl) nitrite are popularly named as “poppers” or “snappers.”

In the past to treat some patients for heart pain amyl nitrite was used in some diagnostic procedures and was prescribed. But now they are prohibited by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. But still in the name of video head cleaner, room odorizer, leather cleaner or liquid aroma one can get it in small bottles.

Older adolescents and adults are mostly seen abusing nitrates. Mostly, individuals who abuse nitrites look for enhancing sexual function & pleasure.As per Research abuse of these drugs in this context has resulted in unsafe.sexual practices which greatly increase the risk of contracting and spreading diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.Observations from Animal research help us understand that there may also be a link between abuse of nitrites and the development of infectious diseases and tumors.Research also indicates that inhaling nitrites results damages of many cells in the immune system and depletes mechanisms that fight infectious diseases.

Inhalants can be inhaled in the body via nose or mouth in a different ways, such as—

a) Sniffing way: or “snorting” vapor from containers;

b) Aerosols directly sprayed into the nose or mouth;

c) Bagging way: inhaling fumes from substances sprayed inside a paper bag or any through which fume can easily generate;

e) Inhaling from balloons filled with nitrous oxide.

Recommended:Why Do People Become Addicted To Drugs?

Most of the inhalants directly act on the nervous system showing effects like mind-altering. Within some time, User starts to experience intoxication. He or she may also get similar effects which have alcohol. Let’s see the short term effects: Slurred speech, Drunk, dizzy or dazed appearance, Inability to coordinate movement, Hallucinations and delusions, Hostility, Apathy, Impaired judgment, Unconsciousness, Severe headaches, Rashes around the nose and mouth

Over consumption or sniffing of these chemicals can result in irregular and fast heartbeat which can result in heart failure and death within some minutes.Due to suffocation death can happen, if oxygen is replaced in the lungs with the chemical, breathing system ceases to operate.

Memory impairment, diminished intelligence, Depression, Muscle weakness, Disorientation, Irritability, Sometimes serious & irreversible damage happens to the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs and brain, Hearing loss, Bone marrow damage, Lack of coordination, Deaths from heart failure

Over Consumption of inhalants has resulted with a number of serious health problems.kidney problems are caused due to Sniffing glue and paint thinner. liver damage is caused due to Sniffing toluene and other solvents.As per observation, over abuse of inhalants resulted in memory impairment and diminished intelligence.

Generally it is hard to recognise, However,with help of some criteria which are established we can diagnose this addiction. It is like having two or more of the 11 symptoms of a substance use disorder as per the DSM. The above criteria are based on repeated use of these drugs despite known negative consequences. Individuals addicted to inhalants will continue to consume them in spite of their worsening health effects.

Intervention for an Inhalant Addiction:

Motivation is a key, Without it, people addicted to inhalants tend to refuse treatment. Making an intervention is a good way to stop someone from being addicted . If you observed that your loved one is refusing or denying their problem when approached, you should contact a professional for help or rehab center to avoid long term effects of inhalants.

About inhalants withdrawal symptoms:

Individuals may see physical and psychological withdrawal effects. These symptoms may approximately last for 4-5 days, but there are many individuals who do not experience any withdrawal. Psychological withdrawal is marked by irritability and the inability to feel normal without the substance while physical withdrawal effects generally include headaches and fatigue.

Symptoms of inhalant withdrawal include:Irritability, Anxiety, Poor attention and concentration, Intense cravings

Now you understand short term & long term effects of inhalants.Inhalant addiction treatment generally includes attending an inpatient rehab center , outpatient rehab, 12-step programs and therapy. It is very important to have an assessment of substance abuse by an addiction professional in a rehab center to find out the right treatment process for an addicted individual.

It is observed that Some individuals experience symptoms of withdrawal when they stop consuming inhalants. Generally the type and severity of the symptoms are determined by a number of factors such as from how long the individual is addicted, the severeness of the addiction, whether multiple substances were abused, his/her mental health history. For such addictive people, inpatient rehabs & medically guided detox offer the best hopes of a successful recovery.

Now you understand the short term & long term effects of inhalants & If you or a loved one are inhalant addicted and looking for the right treatment center, Contact a treatment consultant now, so we can help you find the treatment you need.