Signs Of Inhalant Addiction
Common inhalant abuse symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, and mood changes. Symptoms are often short-lived, which can make them hard to detect, but their short- and long-term effects are dangerous, especially for adolescent users.
Author Kristen Fuller, MD
Signs Of Inhalant Addiction And Abuse
Signs of inhalant abuse are often hard to recognize because the effects of huffing are so short-lived, making it harder for loved ones to notice. The ease of hiding inhalant abuse is one reason why teenagers commonly abuse these substances. Referred to as “huffing,” the repeated use of inhalants can rewire the brain for addiction.
Most cases of abuse occur in the teenage demographic between 12 and 17 years of age, and use is typically discontinued as users get older. In some cases, teens who abuse inhalants may go on to experiment with other dangerous drugs.
Inhalant substances are also easy to access because they are so widespread. From paint thinner and nail polish remover to keyboard air dusters and whipped cream canisters (whippits), commonly abused inhalants are usually found around the house or in the garage.
Still, there are some common physical and behavioral signs of inhalant addiction that one can look out for.
Physical Signs
Common physical signs of inhalant addiction and abuse are:
- Red eyes
- Runny nose
- Slurred speech
- Unusual-smelling breath
- Paint or stains on clothing or face
- Loss of appetite
- Drunken appearance
- Sores around the mouth
- Chemical odor on the skin or clothes
- Nausea and loss of appetite
Behavioral Signs
Behavioral signs of inhalant abuse include:
Inhalant Paraphernalia
- Empty spray paint or solvent containers, especially if they have been hidden
- Empty aerosol cans
- Empty glue tubes with hardened residue
- Chemical-soaked rags, cloth diapers, cloths, and bandanas
- Hidden plastic bags or balloons
- Butane lighters
- Markers
- Boxes of chemicals
Signs Of An Inhalant Overdose
The toxic vapors from inhalants can cause swift and dangerous reactions in a person’s body, including overdose.
Chemicals in inhalants are so strong and dangerous that they can cause a lethal irregular heart rate and rhythm, specifically ventricular cardiac arrhythmias, immediately after use. This is known as “sudden sniffing death.” Sudden sniffing death can happen to first-time inhalant misusers or to chronic inhalant abusers.
A person who is overdosing on inhalants may show the following symptoms:
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Hallucinations
- Diarrhea
- Loss of consciousness
Other ways people die from inhalant overdose include:
- Asphyxiation: Repeated inhalant use sucks the oxygen out of the air, decreasing normal gas exchange between the lungs and the bloodstream. This results in carbon dioxide buildup and decreased oxygen delivery to the tissues and bloodstream. The entire body becomes deprived of oxygen.
- Suffocation: A form of asphyxiation that occurs during bagging. Bagging is a form of inhalant misuse where a person fills a bag with an inhalant and places it over their head, which prevents air from entering the body, leading to suffocation.
- Seizures: Inhalants can rewire the electrical signals in the brain, which can lead to lethal seizures.
- Choking: The use of an inhalant can result in nausea and vomiting and loss of consciousness. The person can lose consciousness and choke on their vomit, which can be fatal.
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Why Are Inhalants Dangerous?
The dangers of inhalants can range from neurological deficits, such as problems with concentration and attention, hearing loss, and balance problems to cardiomyopathy and liver and kidney damage. Inhalant abuse usually creates effects that mirror those of alcohol intoxication. Slurred speech, increased gregariousness, diminished motor skills, dizziness, and hallucinations are common.
Depending on the inhalant being abused, side effects may not be permanent and could be reversed by discontinuing use. These side effects are especially dangerous in individuals under 25, whose brains are not yet fully developed. In some cases, the brain may never fully develop. This is referred to as delayed behavioral development.
The immediate side effects of inhalant abuse include:
- Insomnia
- Muscle weakness
- Headaches
- Disorientation
- Convulsions
- Coma
- Suffocation
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Repeated inhalant abuse can have serious consequences on a person’s long-term physical and mental health. These effects are quite serious and can be life-threatening because of the way the chemicals in inhalants can build up in the fatty tissue of major vital organs.
Some health consequences of long-term inhalant abuse include:
- Liver damage
- Kidney damage
- Brain damage
- Death of brain cells
- Memory loss
- Learning difficulties
- Delayed behavioral development
- Loss of vision
- Permanent hearing loss
- Changes in personality
- Muscle deterioration
- Heart failure
- Respiratory damage
- Bone marrow damage
- Loss of coordination
- Limb spasms
When Should You Stage An Intervention for Inhalant Abuse?
If your teen or loved one is abusing inhalants, it’s important to address the issue calmly and without judgment, focusing on concern for their safety rather than punishment. You should plan an intervention as soon as you notice warning signs such as chemical odors, paint stains on clothing, dizziness, or sudden changes in behavior or grades.
The earlier you intervene, the better the chance of preventing serious health complications or long-term addiction. Involve a healthcare professional, counselor, or addiction specialist to guide the intervention process and connect your teen with appropriate treatment and support resources.
What To Do If Someone Is Abusing Inhalants
If someone you know is abusing inhalants, it is important for them to stop immediately, which can be difficult if they have been abusing inhalants for a while or have an addiction. If they begin to withdraw from inhalants, then this is a sign of dependency, and detoxification may be necessary.
The first step to seeking treatment for an inhalant addiction is recognizing the signs and symptoms associated with an addiction. An inhalant addiction is defined as the inability to cut down or stop using inhalants despite the negative effects they are causing in multiple aspects of life, including personal life, home life, and professional life.
If someone you love has an inhalant addiction, seeking treatment in a professional addiction treatment program can help them cope with any potential withdrawal symptoms and manage future cravings while learning healthy life coping skills. Treatment can occur in a variety of settings depending on the severity of their addiction, insurance coverage, social support structure, and home life.
From outpatient care to inpatient treatment, regardless of the setting, the goal is to obtain strict abstinence from inhalant use. People experiencing cognitive decline or neurological dysfunction that does not improve after several months of inhalant addiction treatment may need to seek additional neuropsychological treatment. Specific tests can help substance use and mental health providers determine more intensive treatment.
Inhalants are some of the substances of abuse most detrimental to a person’s health. If you or someone you know has an inhalant addiction, contact a treatment provider today.
Find A Treatment Center For Inhalant Addiction
Getting started with treatment for inhalant addiction involves contacting a local drug and alcohol treatment center or provider who can provide a comprehensive assessment, which will determine which type of inhalant addiction treatment will be most beneficial.
Contact a treatment provider today or explore our rehab directory to learn more about treatment options. Recognizing that professional help is needed is the first step to overcoming inhalant addiction.
