INHALANTS

Mr. Prall

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSWt8UMRsdY&feature=related

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Inhalants – Are substances that are sniffed or huffed to give the user an immediate rush, or high.

Glues Paint thinners Dry cleaning Gasoline Felt-tip marker fluid Hair sprays Spray-paint

What are Inhalants?

Inhalants might seem like an alternative to other mood-altering drugs because they are cheap, can be purchased legally, and are easy to obtain. But that doesn't make them safer. Household products are safe for cleaning, painting, and the other things they're meant to do. But as inhalants, they can be deadlier than street drugs.

Are they more popular among youths or adults? YOUTHS!

Why do people use them?

Inhalants produce a quick feeling of being drunk — followed by sleepiness, staggering, dizziness, and confusion. Long-time users get headaches, nosebleeds, and sometimes lose their sense of smell. Inhalants decrease oxygen to the brain and can cause brain damage.

Although inhalants can be found around the house, they're so bad for you that using them, even one time, can kill you.

What do inhalants do to you?

Use of inhalants has continually increased for the past six years among 10th graders.

According to the most recent Monitoring the Future Study, relatively low proportions of 8th and 10th graders think that there is a "great risk" in using inhalants.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicates a correlation between early inhalant use and delinquent behaviors, substance abuse and other problems later in life.

Quick Facts

Volatile Solvents Gases Aerosol Sprays Nitrites

Different Kinds of Inhalants

Volatile solvents -are liquids that become a gas at room temperature.

Volatile Solvents

Paint thinners and removers Gasoline Glues Felt-tip marker fluid Art and office supplies Degreasers Dry cleaning fluids

Volatile Solvents Examples

Gases – Include medical gases and household or commercial products.

Gases

Ether Nitrous Oxide Butane lighters Propane tanks Whipped cream dispensers

Gases Examples

Aerosol Sprays – Aerosol spray is a type of dispensing system which creates an aerosol mist of liquid particles. This is used with a can or bottle that contains a liquid under pressure.

Are some of the most prevalent inhalants in the home.

Aerosol Sprays

Spray paint Deodorant Hair Spray Static cling sprays Vegetable oil cooking sprays

Aerosol Sprays Examples

Nitrites – Are called either “poppers” or “snappers” on the street.

Used to dilate blood vessels and as a muscle relaxant.

Used as sexual enhancers. Butyl Nitrates (Poppers) are illegal. Poppers – Small bottles filled with liquid

chemicals called alkyl nitrites.

Nitrites

Found in some room deodorizers and capsules that release vapors when opened.

Cyclohexyl nitrite Amyl Nitrite

◦ Used for heart pain

Nitrites Examples

Cyclohexyl nitrite example

Absorbed by the brain and then nervous system.

All inhalants (except nitrites) slows down the body. (Similar to alcohol)

People can become easily addicted to the chemicals that are in inhalants. Because of this people can easily become long-term users.

Effects On The Body

Phases:◦ First someone will get excited◦ After the excitement wear’s off the user will get

tired.◦ Once the user gets tired they have difficulty

speaking and walking.◦ The user then gets dizzy, loses inhibitions, and

then becomes agitated.

◦ The user is put on a roller coaster ride.

Effects On The Body Cont.

Short-term effects: Increased heart rate Hallucinations or delusions Losing feeling or consciousness Nausea and vomiting Loss of coordination Slurred speech Rapid or irregular heart rhythm within

minutes.

Effects On The Body cont.

Long-term effects:◦Brain damage (toxic chemicals may make

people become slow or clumsy, have trouble solving problems or planning ahead, suffer from memory loss, or become unable to learn new things)

◦Muscle weakness◦Depression◦Headaches and nosebleeds◦Loss of sense of smell or hearing

Effects On The Body cont.

Nitrites:◦ They work much differently than the others.

Instead of slowing down the brain and the spinal cord, they increase the size of blood vessels and relax the muscles.

◦ This could lead to blood clots (thrombus), blocked blood vessels, and even arteriosclerosis.

Effects On The Body cont.

Inhalants are highly toxic. The effects of inhalant use can be

permanent, and ever lasting. What parts of the body are effected?

◦ Brain◦ Spinal Cord◦ Lungs◦ Livers◦ Kidneys

Effects On The Body cont.

Like most street drugs, inhalants can be deadly. Someone can die from abusing inhalants after trying it only once. Causes of death include:

How Inhalants Kill

"Sudden Sniffing Death" — This is the most common cause of death from inhalant use. The heart beats quickly and irregularly, and then suddenly stops (cardiac arrest).◦ Usually occurs from butane, propane, aerosols.

Asphyxia — Toxic fumes replace oxygen in the lungs so that a person stops breathing.

Choking — A user can choke on his or her vomit. Suffocation — When vapors are inhaled from a

plastic bag placed over the head, the bag can block air

How Inhalants Kill cont.

Injuries — Since people high on inhalants often make poor decisions, they might try to drive under the influence or do something irrational, such as jump off a roof. They could also get burned or start explosions if a spark ignites flammable inhalants.

Suicide — Some people become depressed when their high wears off.

Chemicals can displace oxygen in the lungs…thus making a person basically suffocate to death.

Will also displace oxygen in the central nervous system, which can lead to brain damage and failure.

How Inhalants Kill cont.

If you use inhalants this could happen to your brain…

Inhalants, like other drugs, have noticeable effects on those using them. Someone on inhalants may suffer from a number of different ill effects, including:◦ Mood swings◦ Extreme anger and agitation◦ Exhaustion◦ Loss of appetite◦ Frequent vomiting◦ Hallucinations and illusions

Signs Of Inhalant Abuse

Facial rashes and blisters Frequent nose running and coughing Dilated pupils Extremely bad breath

Keep in mind some of these are signs of other Health concerns, and may not be necessarily be inhalant abuse.

Signs Of Inhalant Abuse cont.