Of all the drugs that people abuse, inhalants are one of the least common. However, they’re the drug of choice for those who live in isolated areas or want a cheap high. With that said, inhalants are no less dangerous than other drugs that people abuse. By comparison, are inhalants addictive?
What Are Inhalants?
People have to know more about inhalants before they learn about are inhalants addictive. Experts label them as volatile substances. Most of them are flammable and vaporize when people store them at room temperature. However, they include several anesthetics and chemicals.
People don’t always use the term “inhalants” when they talk about these chemicals. They may refer to them as hippie crack, laughing gas, whippets, or huff. In truth, inhalants are everything from gasoline to cleaning products. Some of the most common ones that people use as inhalants include:
- Spray paint
- Glue
- Paint thinner
- Nail polish
- Computer dust spray
- Freon
- Lighter fluid
Are Inhalants Addictive?
The short answer is yes. In fact, about 10 percent of people who use inhalants develop withdrawal symptoms when they stop using them.
The withdrawal symptoms that they experience aren’t pleasant. Most of the time, the effects include vomiting, impaired memory, and hallucinations. The longer that people abuse inhalants, the more likely that they are to experience withdrawal symptoms.
Why Do People Use Inhalants?
Compared to other street drugs, inhalants are a cheap alternative. People can buy cleaning products to get high for just a few dollars at nearly any store. For young adults who don’t have much money, it may be the go-to method to get high. It’s also a top choice for those who don’t have easy access to illegal drugs in their area.
Other people abuse inhalants because of the high that they produce. The mind-altering effects that they experience are very similar to that of alcohol in high doses.
The Dangers of Inhalants
While inhalants are addictive and produce withdrawal symptoms, these are just the start of the problems that they cause. For example, the fumes from inhalant products can cause permanent brain damage.
There’s also a condition that doctors refer to as “sudden sniffing death.” As the name suggests, people who suffer from this condition die after sniffing inhalants. Doctors aren’t sure what causes this condition in some people but not in others.
Get Help for Inhalant Addiction
Do you or a loved one suffer from inhalant addiction? If so, consider seeking an inhalants addiction treatment program at Crestview Recovery. We can provide access to the services that you need to safely overcome inhalant addiction. Some of the other services that we offer include:
Don’t let inhalants cause harm to your body anymore. Find out more about are inhalants addictive. Reach out to us for help today at 866.262.0531.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
