Treatment for Inhalant Abuse

Inhalants can be found in common household, medical, and industrial products. These can produce vapors, which some people abuse through inhaling. This is done to produce a high or intoxicating family. Inhalant abuse is a serious problem that can lead to serious health consequences.

Inhalant abuse treatment can help people recover from the harmful effects of inhalants and avoid further problems. Treatment for inhalant abuse typically includes counseling, support groups, and medical care.

In some cases, medication may also be used to help treat inhalant abuse. If you or someone you know is struggling with inhalant abuse, it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible. With proper treatment, many people are able to overcome this difficult addiction and live healthy, productive lives.

What are Inhalants?

Inhalants are substances that people breathe in through their nose or mouth to get high. They include household products, like aerosols, cleaning fluids, and spray paints. People also abuse medical gasses, like nitrous oxide. Commonly abused inhalants include:

• Aerosols
• Gasses
• Nitrites
• Solvents

Inhalant abuse is dangerous because it can lead to serious health consequences, including brain damage, organ damage, and death. If you or someone you know is struggling with inhalant abuse, please get help from a professional as soon as possible. There are many resources available to help you or your loved one recover from this dangerous addiction.

Other Names for Inhalants

Like with other widely used drugs, inhalants go by many other names, specifically when they are getting abused. Inhalants are often referred to by other names, such as huffing, sniffing, dusting, and bagging. No matter what they are called, inhaling chemicals to get high is extremely dangerous and can lead to serious health consequences, including death.

How are Inhalants Used?

Inhalants are breathing inhaled objects which can be either sprayed into a bag and then inhaled, or poured onto cloths/sleeves before being introduced to your nose/mouth for absorption through the lungs. This method is very dangerous because it could cause suffocation if not done correctly.

Signs of Inhalant Abuse

Inhalant abuse can be difficult to spot because the inhalants themselves are often found in household products. However, there are a few signs that may indicate that someone is abusing inhalants:

If you or someone you know is exhibiting these signs, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Inhalant abuse can lead to death, so it should not be taken lightly.

What are the effects of inhalants?

Inhalants are particularly dangerous because they are easily accessible and often underestimated. Like all drugs and abuse, sniffing or huffing inhalants can lead to a wide range of harmful effects, both short- and long-term. It’s important to be aware of the consequences that come with inhalant abuse and get proper help as soon as possible.

Inhalants can affect people differently depending on several different factors. The effects of inhalants can be impacted by:

• A person’s body weight, size, or overall health
• The amount inhaled
• The amount of fresh air being taken in while sniffing
• The strength of the drug being used
• Whether or not a person is used to taking inhalants
• The amount of physical activity present before/after sniffing

Sniffing and inhalant use in general can cause several different negative effects on a person’s body, some of which can be extremely dangerous if under the wrong circumstances. Let’s take a closer look at some of the short- and long-term effects of inhalant abuse.

Overdosing on Inhalants

Believe it or not, it is possible to overdose on inhalants if you inhale a substance too many times. An overdose can also occur if the inhalant is extremely powerful. If you sense that someone is suffering an overdose, call 9-11 immediately. Symptoms of an inhalant overdose can include:

• Hallucinations
• Irregular heartbeat
• Blacking out
• Seizures or coma
• Nausea
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Chest pains

In some cases, specific substances have been known to result in sudden death. Certain chemicals found in substances can lead to heart failure. This does depend on a person’s physical state before and during inhaling (heavy exercise, stress, etc.). While this has been shown to be very rare, it is still possible in some cases.

Inhalants and Mental Health

As with all abused substances, inhalants can be directly related to mental problems. Those who abuse inhalants on a regular basis may be prone to higher rates of anxiety disorders, depression, and further drug/alcohol use. If a person is already experiencing mental issues beforehand, inhalants can exasperate these symptoms. Inhalants can also have negative effects on a person’s home, school, and work life.

Inhalant Withdrawal

Withdrawal occurs when a person has become dependent on a substance. When a person stops using the drug, their body will begin to show uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. The same applies to inhalants.

Withdrawal symptoms may include:

These symptoms appear at around the 24-48 hour point (after last use) and can last up to 2-5 days.

Inhalant Abuse Treatment

Treatment for an addiction to inhalants typically involves attending a rehabilitation center and completing 12-step programs. In some cases, people are also required to go through therapy or support groups in order to establish themselves after they’ve completed treatment. At Free by the Sea, we offer quality support throughout the entire process.

Choose Free by the Sea!

Free by the Sea offers inhalant abuse treatment and other addiction treatment options. If you or a loved one is suffering from inhalant abuse, don’t wait any longer. Our beautiful facility in Washington state is ready to help you and your family. Don’t wait for things to get worse, start living the life you and your loved ones deserve. Reach out to our qualified team today!