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Inhalants are volatile substances that produce chemical vapors that can
be inhaled to induce a Psychoactive, or mind-altering, effect. Although
other abused substances can be inhaled, the term "inhalants" is used to
describe a variety of substances whose main common characteristic is
that they are rarely, if ever, taken by any route other than
inhalation. This definition encompasses a broad range of chemicals
found in hundreds of different products that may have different
pharmacological effects. As a result, precise categorization of
inhalants is difficult. One classification system lists four general
categories of inhalants-volatile solvents, aerosol, gases, and
Nitrites-based on the form in which they are often found in household,
industrial, and medical products.
Volatile solvents are liquids that vaporize at room temperatures. They
are found in a multitude of inexpensive, easily available products used
for common household and industrial purposes. These include paint
thinners and removers, dry-cleaning fluids, degreasers, gasoline,
glues, correction fluids, and felt-tip marker fluids.
Aerosols are sprays that contain propellants and solvents. They include
spray paints, deodorant and hair sprays, vegetable oil sprays for
cooking, and fabric protector sprays.
Gases include medical anesthetics as well as gases used in household or
commercial products. Medical Anesthetic gases include ether,
chloroform, halothane, and Nitrous oxide, commonly called "laughing
gas." Nitrous oxide is the most abused of these gases and can be found
in whipped cream dispensers and products that boost octane levels in
racing cars. Household or commercial products containing gases include
Butane lighters, propane tanks, whipped cream dispensers, and
refrigerants.
Nitrites often are considered a special class of inhalants. Unlike most
other inhalants, which act directly on the Central nervous system
(CNS), nitrites act primarily to dilate blood vessels and relax the
muscles. And while other inhalants are used to alter mood, nitrites are
used primarily as sexual enhancers. Nitrites include cyclohexyl
nitrite, isoamyl (amyl) nitrite, and isobutyl (butyl) nitrite.
Cyclohexyl nitrite is found in room odorizers. Amyl nitrite is used in
certain diagnostic procedures and is prescribed to some patients for
heart pain. Illegally diverted ampules of amyl nitrite are called
"poppers" or "snappers" on the street. Butyl nitrite is an illegal
substance that is often packaged and sold in small bottles also
referred to as "poppers."
What are the patterns of inhalant abuse?
Inhalants-particularly volatile solvents, gases, and aerosols- are
often among the first drugs that young children use. One national
survey indicates about 6 percent of U.S. children have tried inhalants
by the time they reach fourth grade. Inhalants also are one of the few
substances abused more by younger children than by older ones.
Nevertheless, inhalant abuse can become Chronic and extend into
adulthood.
Generally, inhalant abusers will abuse any available substance.
However, effects produced by individual inhalants vary, and some
individuals will go out of their way to obtain their favorite inhalant.
For example, in certain parts of the country, "Texas shoe-shine," a
shoe-shining spray containing the chemical Toluene, is a local
favorite. Silver and gold spray paints, which contain more toluene than
other spray colors, also are popular inhalants.
Data from national and State surveys suggest inhalant abuse reaches its
peak at some point during the seventh through ninth grades. For
example, the American Drug and Alcohol Survey of children in the 4th
through 12th grades indicates that the percentage of children who have
ever used inhalants peaks in the 8th grade. In the Monitoring the
Future (MTF) study, an annual NIDA-supported survey of the Nation's
secondary school students, 8th-graders also regularly report the
highest rate of current, past year, and lifetime inhalant abuse; 10th-
and 12th-graders report less abuse.
| Definitions of Terms Used |
| Alcohol | Refers to ethyl alcohol or ethanol.
| | Amyl nitrite | A yellowish oily volatile liquid used in certain diagnostic procedures and prescribed to some patients for heart pain. Illegally diverted ampules of amyl nitrite are called poppers or
snappers on the street.
| | Anesthetic | An agent that causes insensitivity to pain and is used for surgeries and other medical procedures.
| | Butane | A substance found in lighter fluid.
| | Butyl nitrite | An illegal substance that is often packaged and sold in small bottles; also referred to as poppers.
| | CNS | Central Nervous System
| | Central nervous system | The brain and spinal cord.
| | Chronic | Refers to a disease or condition that persists over a long period of time. Also a slang term for a particularly potent strain of marijuana.
| | Drug | Any substance, other than food, that changes the function or structure of the body or mind when ingested. Drugs essentially are poisons. The degree they are taken determines the effect. A small amount acts as a stimulant. A greater amount acts as a sedative. A larger amount acts as a poison and can kill one dead. This is true of any drug. Each has a different amount at which it gives those results.
| | Drug abuse | The use of illegal drugs or the inappropriate use of legal drugs. The repeated use of drugs to produce pleasure, to alleviate stress, or to alter or avoid reality - or all three.
| | Inhalants | Any drug administered by breathing in its vapors. Most inhalants are organic solvents such as glue and paint thinner, or anesthetic gases such as ether and nitrous oxide.
| | Nitrites | A special class of inhalants that act primarily to dilate blood vessels and relax the muscles. Whereas other inhalants are used to alter mood, nitrites are used primarily as sexual enhancers. (See also amyl nitrite and butyl nitrite).
| | Nitrous oxide |
An inhalant, also known as "laughing
gas." Nitrous oxide is a weak anesthetic that does not produce
unconsciousness. Repeated use of "nitrous" can cause the fatty
tissue in the brain to deteriorate, resulting in severe headaches,
hallucinations, hand and foot numbness and spasms in arms and legs.
| | Psychoactive | Having a specific effect on the mind.
| | Toluene | A light colorless liquid solvent found in many commonly abused inhalants, including airplane glue, paint sprays, and paint and nail polish removers.
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| | ©2005 remository.com |
Source: The National Institute on Drug abuse (NIDA)
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