Common Products and Deadly Usage of Inhalants

Inhalants. Commonly used household products that contain chemicals that are inhaled to make a person feel like they are in a drunken state. Most of these inhalants are extremely toxic to the body and its organs. They can cause people to lose the ability to reason with problems with peers, and life in general. They can cause severe brain damage, liver damage, kidney damage, and even death. Death can occur from just one use of some inhalants.

Some commonly used inhalants are adhesives, such as model glue, rubber cement, industrial adhesives, and other specialty glues. Aerosols, such as spray paint, hair spray, deodorant, and air fresheners. Cleaning supplies, such as spot removers, and degreasing agents. Solvents, such as nail polish remover, paint thinner, and white out. Gases, such as butane, lighter fluid, kerosene, diesel fuel, and even gasoline. Even food aerosol cans may be used as inhalants.

Inhalants are broken down into three major categories. Volatile solvents are either gases or liquids that vaporize at room temperature. These produce a quick feeling of being intoxicated and excited followed by feeling sleepy. Volatile inhalants contain so many chemicals, it is impossible to pin point which ones specifically cause damage to a person's body. Nitrites have been used in the past to enhance sexual experiences and sexual pleasure. These are such products as room deodorizers. In recent years, the use of nitrites had declined, or so some may think, more commonly, nitrites are just mixed in with other volatile chemicals, and therefore; inhaled with them.

Anesthetics are those inhalants that make a person feel less pain. The most commonly used anesthetic inhalant is nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. It has been found that nitrous oxide is being sold in balloons. When the gas is release and inhaled, it alters the mind. Nitrous oxide inhaling can use all of the body's oxygen, when it is used for long periods of time. This can cause nerve damage and death.

Inhalant use is more common than most of us want to admit. It is estimated that 1 out of every 5 eighth graders has tried inhalants at least once. It is thought to be more common among specific groups of people. Peer pressure and teenage fads are common reasons that adolescents use them. The rate of usage seems to decline as the adolescent gets older.

Inhalants are cheap and easy for anybody to buy. They are legal to buy, and found in may things that most people would view as harmless. Currently, there are more than 1000 products out there that are used as inhalants. Unfortunately, the use of inhalants is often accompanied by, or followed by the use of other, illegal drugs.

Some things that may indicate that a person is using inhalants are, unusual breath odor, or a chemical smell on their clothes, slurred or generally disoriented speech, drunken appearance, dazed appearance, or the appearance of being dizzy. There may be paint or other chemical on the person's face and fingers. They may have red eyes, or a runny nose and eyes. They may complain of nausea, or may not have an appetite. Those who use inhalants regularly may be irritable, excitable, anxious, or restless. Other things to look for include, a person sitting with a pen or marker near their nose, they may constantly smell their own clothing, they may have paint marks on their face, fingers, or clothes. You may find that they have hidden rags, clothes, and/or empty containers of the things they have inhaled.

With the use of inhalants in adolescents, it is important for parents to talk to their kids about the dangers of using them. By simply talking to your kids, you can help to prevent them from becoming users. Be aware of the signs and symptoms. If you notice any of them in your child, seek medical help immediately. Of course, your child will be angry, and probably deny using inhalants. Better to have an angry child than a dead one. The anger will go away in time, if you do not intervene, you may not get another chance to help.