NOTES ON INHALANTS Inhalants 1 2 Inhalants are

NOTES ON INHALANTS

Inhalants 1. 2. Inhalants are substances that produce chemical vapors that can be inhaled to produce a psychoactive, or mind-altering effect. The term inhalants is used to describe a variety of substances whose common characteristic is that they are rarely taken by any other route other than inhalation.

Inhalants 3. 4. Inhalants are a broad range of chemicals found in different products that may have different pharmacological effects. There are 4 main classifications of inhalants: Volatile solvents Gases Aerosols Nitrites

Inhalants 5. 6. Inhalants are found in household, industrial, and medical products. Volatile solvents: These are liquids that vaporize at room temperature They are found in a multitude of inexpensive, easily attainable products

Inhalants 7. Examples of volatile solvents: Paint thinners and removers Dry-cleaning fluids Degreasers Gasoline Glues Felt-tip markers Correction fluid (white out) Nail polish remover Freon

Inhalants 8. 9. Aerosols are sprays that contain propellants and solvents. Examples of aerosols: Spray paint Deodorant Hair spray Vegetable oil Fabric spray

Inhalants 10. Gases: Include medical anesthetics as well as gases used in household or commercial products. Can cause bone marrow damage

Inhalants 11. Medical anesthetics include: Chloroform Halothane Laughing gas Of these, laughing gas is the most abused.

Inhalants 12. 13. Household or commercial products include: Gases in butane lighters Propane tanks Refrigerant (Freon) Inhalants are often the first drug abused by young children. National surveys indicate that about 3% of U. S. children have tried inhalants by the 4 th grade.

Inhalants 14. Nitrites: Often considered a special class of inhalants Unlike most other inhalants which affect the central nervous system, nitrites act on blood vessels and relax muscles 15. More 8 th graders have tried inhalants than any other drug, including marijuana

Inhalants 16. Short-term effects of inhalants: Belligerence Apathy Impaired judgment Dizziness Drowsiness Slurred speech Depressed reflexes Stupor Nausea Vomiting

Inhalants 17. Long-term effects of inhalants: Compulsive use Mild withdraw syndrome Weight loss Muscle weakness Disorientation Inattentiveness Lack of coordination Irritability Depression

Medical consequences of inhalant abuse that can cause death: 18. “Sudden sniffing death” - Prolonged sniffing of chemicals can cause irregular heart rhythms and could lead to heart failure and death within minutes of a session of prolonged sniffing. 19. Asphyxiation – occurs from repeated inhalations which leads to high concentrations of inhaled fumes displacing oxygen in the lungs

Medical consequences of inhalant abuse that can cause death 20. Suffocation – results from blocking air from entering the lungs when inhaling fumes from a plastic bag placed over the head 21. Convulsions or seizures – caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain.

Medical consequences of inhalant abuse that can cause death 22. 23. Coma – the brain shuts down all but the most vital functions Choking – results from inhalation of vomit after inhalant use 24. Fatal injury – results from accidents in motor vehicles suffered from being intoxicated

Inhalants vocabulary: 25. 26. 27. Huffed : inhalant-soaked rag, sock, or roll of toilet paper in mouth Anesthetic : an agent that removes the ability to feel pain Toxic : causing temporary or permanent effects that are detrimental to the functioning of body organs

Inhalants vocabulary: 28. 29. 30. Benzene : Bone marrow injury, impaired function, increased likelihood of getting leukemia Butane : sudden sniffing death syndrome via cardiac effects Rush : a surge of pleasure that rapidly follows administration of drug

Inhalants vocabulary 31. Relapse – to fall back into a former state.