Teens and Inhalants
According to the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, a new generation of children is vulnerable to the dangers of inhalants—ordinary household products sniffed or inhaled to get high. In fact, one in five students will have abused some form of inhalant by the time they reach eighth grade.
Many young people may not be aware of the inherent risks involved with abusing inhalants. Even one instance of inhalant use can cause serious damage to your teen’s health. Prolonged sniffing of solvents or aerosol sprays can lead to permanent damage, such as heart failure and death within minutes.
Inhalants are especially popular among adolescents between the seventh and ninth grades. Speak with your teen early about the dangers of all drugs, including inhalants. Keep them well-informed of the dangers of this form of drug abuse.
Types of Inhalants
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, these are the four general categories of inhalants:
- Volatile solvents – Liquids that vaporize at room temperature, including paint thinners and removers, nail polish remover, cleaning fluids, gasoline, glues, correction fluids and felt-tip marker fluids.
- Aerosols – Sprays that contain propellants and solvents, such as spray paints, deodorant and hair sprays.
- Gases – Includes medical anesthetics, such as ether, chloroform, halothane and nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”). Also includes gases found in butane lighters, propane tanks and whipped cream dispensers.
- Nitrites – Includes amyl nitrite, butyl nitrite and cyclohexyl nitrite, often called “poppers” and sold as room deodorizers or sex enhancers. Different than other inhalants because they primarily dilate blood vessels and relax the muscles.
Reviewed by: Amanda Quevedo
Last reviewed: October 2019