Transcript Slide 1
What are Inhalants? • Inhalants are breathable chemical vapors that produce mid-altering effects. • The name “inhalants” covers a group of over 2,000 household products; A variety of products common in the home and in the work place contain substances that can be inhaled. • 4 Categories: • – Solvents- paint thinners, gasoline, glue, degreasers, correction fluid, markers, and electronic cleaners. – Aerosols- hair or deodorant spray, spray paints, vegetable oil sprays, and fabric protector sprays. – Gases- butane lighters, propane tanks, whipped cream dispensers, refrigerants, and medical anesthetic gases. – Nitrites- cyclohexyl nitrite, amyl nitrite, and butyl nitrite (commonly known as “poppers” or “snappers”). – Examples: video head cleaner, leather cleaner, liquid aroma. How are they Used? • Sniffed through the nose. • Huffed (putting the substance on a rag) through the mouth. • When inhaled through the nose or mouth, the chemicals first damage the delicate membranes inside the mouth, nose, and throat. The toxins are then quickly soaked up and passed through the blood, doing major damage to all organs they go through, especially the brain. Common Terms Associated with Inhalants • • • • • • • • Air Blast Buzz bomb Glading Huffer Bagging Climax Gluey Poor Man’s Pot Short Term Effects • • • • • • • • • • • • Headaches Dizziness Tingling sensation in hands and feet Dilated pupils Runny and red nose Nosebleeds Confusion Nausea Lost sense of smell Seizures Sudden mood swings Blackouts Long Term Effects • • • • • • Severe muscle weakness Dramatic changes to one’s appearance Blood diseases Digestive problems Heart attacks SUDDEN SNIFFING DEATH • Damage: • • • • • • Liver Kidney Heart Senses (hearing, taste, smell) Brain Central Nervous System Signs of Sniffing and Huffing Habits • • • • • Spots and/or sores around the mouth Mark like ink or paint near the nose Red, watery eyes Runny nose Breath or clothing smells like chemicals Did You know? • Young people are likely to abuse inhalants due to their availability and inexpensive cost. • Some young people may use inhalants as an easily accessible substitute for alcohol. • Youths aged 12 to 17 had higher rates of past year inhalant use compared with adults aged 18 and older. • Among youths aged 12 to 17, 10.6 % were current illicit drug users in 2004, and 1.2 % of those were current inhalant users. ExtEnt of UsE… • In 2006, 22.9 million Americans aged 12 or older reported using inhalants at least once during their lifetimes. • The average age at first use among recent initiates aged 12 to 49 was 15.7 years in 2006