What it is

Inhalants are substances produced from organic chemicals. There are several types of inhalants including nitrates, volatile substances, fuels and aerosols/gases.

Inhalants have a volatile nature which when vaporised and inhaled can cause intoxication or a "high".

Inhalants are a depressant. This means that they slow down brain functions and the activity of the central nervous system, affecting physical, mental, and emotional responses.

Children and teenagers are the most common groups who use inhalants for recreational purposes. Users are defined within four categories:

• The experimenter: Usually children and teenagers fall into this category. Experimentation does not usually exceed a few episodes, and is motivated by curiosity and a desire to imitate peer behaviour.
• The social /situational user: These are generally children and teenagers who, after experimentation, continue to use inhalants in a recreational and social environment, usually with a group of friends. It is common for social use to end by mid adolescence as other interests develop. This can include a move towards alcohol and tobacco.
• The problematic user: This user relies on inhalants as a daily activity and allows it to take priority over other important activities. Indicators for this stage include behavioural changes including hassles with friends or families, health problems, the inability to handle common situations, and changing feelings. Help should be sought at this stage.
• The chronic user: A very small number of those who have used inhalants make up this category. It occurs when the user is using increasing doses to achieve the desired effects. It is common for chronic users to use inhalants alone. Indicators of chronic users include behavioural problems and instability, especially within their home environment.

Slang
Glue, Gas, Sniff, Huff, Chroming, Poppers, Fuels, Aerosols, Solvents, Nitrates

Health effects

Short-term effects
Inhalants enter the blood stream directly from the lungs. The effects on the user are felt immediately as chemical contained in inhalants are fat-soluble and rapidly reach the brain and other body organs. Effects of inhalant use vary between persons and environments and it is therefore difficult to predict the effects the inhalants will have on any one person. Combinations of inhalants and varying dosage may also affect an individual's reactions.

Short-term effects include:

• loss of inhibitions
• drowsiness
• flu like symptoms
• reckless behaviour
• blurred vision
• unpleasant breath
• nosebleeds and sores around the mouth and nose
• initial feelings of wellbeing and relaxation

Short-term effects are similar to alcohol effects. They usually subside after one hour, with the initial high subsiding after only seconds or minutes. Mild hangovers or headaches can occur after the immediate effects wear off and, in extreme cases, these can last up to several days, depending on the dosage inhaled.

If large quantities are inhaled over a short period the effects are intensified and the user may become disorientated and lose control of their body and feelings. This can lead to dangerous behaviour and result in injury.

Most products, when used over a short period at limited doses, do not cause damage to the body.

Long-term effects
Heavy and frequent use of inhalants can cause serious physical and psychological health problems, including:

• pale appearance and weight loss
• tremors
• feelings of tiredness
• constant thirst
• facial sores
• memory loss
• personality changes
• irritability
• stupor or coma
• seizures
• irregular heartbeat
• problems with breathing
• brain and nerve damage.

The lead in petrol, and some chemicals in other inhalants, may build up in the body irritating the lining of the stomach and intestines, damaging the brain, nervous system, kidneys and liver and can also cause various types of cancer. Inhaling chrome based paints (chroming) may lead to bloodshot eyes as blood vessels in the eye burst, and eventually leading to blindness. Amnesia may also result as some inhalants affect the production of blood

A small number of deaths have occurred from inhalant use. Most commonly death is from cardiac arrest. Death in relation to first time use following inhalation form aerosols and fire extinguishers has also been documented.

Levels of permanent damage are unknown in regards to specific substances.

Dependence, addiction and overdose risk

Prolonged use of inhalants increases the likelihood of tolerance development. This means that user's body adapts to the effects of inhalant use and needs more and more to achieve the desired effect.

Psychological dependence can develop where inhalants are used to manage day to day functioning leading to clouded their thoughts and actions.

Physical dependence is considered extremely rare, buts occurs when users develop withdrawal symptoms including shaking and sweating until they receive another dose of their preferred inhalant.

Withdrawal symptoms also prevail when the user decides to suddenly stop their inhalant use. Withdrawal effects are usually mild, but some users can experience extreme withdrawal symptoms including anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, irritation, aggressive behaviour, dizziness, tremors, and nausea.

Law and penalities

In New Zealand as most inhalants are common household products, readily available to the public, so it is not practical to make them illegal.

Although it is not illegal to use inhalants the police can hold people under the influence of inhalants for detoxification under the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Act 1966.

Drug trends

Inhalant use in New Zealand is not widespread and research indicates that inhalants are tried and used by very few people. Those who do are generally young teenagers and most users fall in to the experimentation category.

Recent research indicates that:

• In 1998 1.9 percent of participants had tried solvents (inhalants) compared with 2.2 percent in 2001.
• In 1998 0.4 percent of participants had used solvents in the past year compared with 0.2 percent in 2001.
• In 1998 0.2 percent of participants were current users compared with 0.1 percent in 2001.

Reducing the harm

The Drug Foundation’s message is clear: no drug use is the safest drug use. But we realise there will be occasions when people ignore warnings and use drugs. In order to limit the harm from their drug use, we provide information about effective methods of drug harm minimisation. Such information directly benefits the person using drugs, and also protects the wider community.

Those intending to use inhalants should note the following list of steps that should be taken to help reduce the risks involved:

• Surround yourself with a close group of friends at all times and make sure not all are using solvents so they can look after you if something goes wrong
• Do not spray aerosols directly into the mouth. This can be very dangerous. One effect is that the substance is very cold and may freeze the throat causing breathing to become very irregular or stop
• Do not use lighters or matches around inhalants as they are often very flammable
• Do not put plastic bags over your head as this can cause suffocation.
• Do not drive while under the influence of inhalants as they can affect coordination and the ability to judge speed and distance
• Do not combine inhalants with alcohol use as effects can be very unpredictable
• Do not use inhalants if you have a personal or family history of mental health problems
• Do not use inhalants when in a negative state of mind; or to cloud negative feelings as use can intensify those negative feelings. Also you are more likely to become aggressive and engage in risky behaviours that may harm yourself and/or others.

How to get help

There are a number of treatment organisations that can help. If you feel that you or anyone you know needs help, then you can call these services in strict confidence.

If you are faced with an emergency, call 111 immediately.

To talk to someone about your or someone else's drug use, call the Alcohol Drug Helpline - 0800 787 797

You can also get contact details for your local alcohol and other drug counsellor or treatment provider by calling the helpline or by visiting www.addictionshelp.org.nz .

Links

www.mentalhealth.org.nz/ Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. (2002) Solvent and Inhalant Problems.

www.ndp.govt.nz Ministry of Health. National Drug Policy Website information on solvents.

www.nzma.org.nz The New Zealand Medical Association of New Zealand. Outlines the deaths due to butane abuse and the clinical pharmacology of inhalants.

www.shore.ac.nz A report from Shore Drug Use in New Zealand National Surveys Comparison 1998 & 2001. Copies can be requested from this link.