How do inhalants enter the body

When inhaled, the fumes enter the bloodstream very quickly and the effects are felt after just a few seconds. The effects of inhalants mimic alcohol another depressant , but are much quicker because the chemicals are sent straight to the blood through the lungs, instead of through the stomach. A headache usually follows.

Most inhalants are not banned drugs, but legal, everyday products used in an unsafe way. Inhalants may be solvents, gases, aerosols or nitrites. Commonly used inhalants include:. Inhalant use is often generally referred to as 'chroming', but chroming is only one of a number of methods commonly used. Chroming involves spraying chrome paint from an aerosol can into a plastic bag and then breathing in the vapours from the bag.

Chroming has been identified as the most common form of inhalant misuse in Australia. Petrol sniffing typically involves a small amount of fuel being placed in a can and inhaled. Some petrol sniffers engage in experimental or recreational use. Chronic sniffers engage in more frequent and intensive petrol sniffing, and are more likely to suffer serious long-term effects.

Nitrous oxide gas is typically inhaled by discharging nitrous gas cartridges bulbs or whippets into another object, such as a balloon, or directly into the mouth. Inhaling nitrous oxide produces a rapid rush of euphoria and feeling of floating or excitement for a short period of time. Inhaling a large amount of nitrous oxide can result in loss of blood pressure, fainting or heart attack. Long-term nitrous oxide inhalation can result in a variety of side effects, including memory loss, brain damage, incontinence, a weakened immune system, and psychosis.

The effects of inhalants depend on the substance, the strength of the dose, the physical make-up of the user and their state of mind at the time. Taking other drugs with inhalants — including over-the-counter or prescribed medications — can be dangerous. Using inhalants with other depressant drugs such as alcohol, benzodiazepines or opiates places enormous strain on the body, which can affect breathing rate and may increase the risk of passing out and suffocating, or choking on vomit.

In high doses, inhalants can cause disorientation, nausea, diarrhoea and nose bleeds. The symptoms of overdose include hallucinations, drowsiness and coma. This is a type of heart failure that can occur if the user attempts any physical exertion after inhaling. Users have also been accidentally killed by engaging in risky behaviours, such as jumping off high buildings while under the influence. Users can develop a psychological dependence on inhalants.

However, research suggests that the risk of physical dependence is relatively small. Withdrawal symptoms are usually mild, but can include depression, anxiety, loss of appetite, dizziness, tremors and nausea. If someone you are with overdoses or has a bad reaction while using inhalants, call triple zero for an ambulance immediately.

Ambulance officers do not have to call the police. Within seconds of inhalation, the user experiences intoxication along with other effects similar to those produced by alcohol. Alcohol-like effects may include slurred speech; the inability to coordinate movements; euphoria; and dizziness. In addition, users may experience lightheadedness, hallucinations, and delusions. Because intoxication lasts only a few minutes, abusers frequently seek to prolong the high by inhaling repeatedly over the course of several hours, which is a very dangerous practice.

With successive inhalations, abusers can suffer loss of consciousness and possibly even death. At the least, they will feel less inhibited and less in control.

Try our intuitive Path2Help tool and be matched with support information and services tailored to you. If your use of inhalants is affecting your health, family, relationships, work, school, financial or other life situations, you can find help and support.

In recent years, some Australian States and Territories have revised police powers to intervene in inhalant use in two main ways. Police are authorised to:. It is also illegal in some states and territories to sell or supply products to someone if it is known they will be used for the purpose of inhaling.

It is an offence in Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and the Northern Territory to knowingly supply an inhalant to a person for the purpose of intentional inhalation. New South Wales There is no specific legislation in NSW that refers directly to inhalant abuse only legislation referring to intoxicated persons.

Australian Capital Territory There is no specific legislation in the ACT that refers directly to inhalant abuse, only legislation referring to intoxicated persons. Drug List Drug Wheel.

Last published: November 10, What are inhalants? Other names Glue, gas, gasoline, sniff, huff, chroming, poppers.

How are Inhalants used? Effects of inhalants There is no safe level of drug use. Inhalants affect everyone differently, based on: size, weight and health whether the person is used to taking it whether other drugs are taken around the same time the amount taken the strength of the drug amount of fresh air breathed while sniffing amount of physical activity before and after sniffing. Sniffing can cause: intoxication nausea headaches injuries delirium seizures pneumonia from inhaling vomit dependence brain damage coma abnormal heart rhythm sudden death asphyxiation if using a plastic bag.

Coming down In the days after inhalant use, you may experience: headache nausea dizziness drowsiness mental numbness. Path2Help Not sure what you are looking for? Find out more. Read more about withdrawal.