Levels of Use 
- According to the 2004 NHS, 2.4% of 14-19 year olds reported that they had tried inhalants and 1% had used in the last year.
This includes a wide range of easily available products including:
- aerosol sprays
- butane gas
- petrol
- glue
- paint thinners / solvents
- amyl nitrite (poppers).
Young people often use them because they are cheap and readily available. They also often contain highly toxic and dangerous substances such as lead.
Effects
Inhalants, like alcohol, might make a person uninhibited at first and drowsy later. If the person continues to inhale, he or she might eventually hallucinate.
"Sudden Sniffing Death" Syndrome
The most immediate danger to the user is "sudden sniffing death". When the user inhales certain solvents or aerosols, irregularities in heart rate can occur, which can lead to death. Death can also be caused by plastic bag asphyxia, aspiration of vomitus, and accidents while intoxicated.
Immediate effects
- Happiness
- Relaxation / Sleepiness
- Poor coordination
- Slurred speech
- Irritability / Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Auditory and visual hallucinations
- Convulsions (rarely)
- "Sudden sniffing death" syndrome
Longer term effects
- Nose bleeds
- Skin rashes around the mouth and nose
- Lack of appetite
- Lack of motivation
- Liver, kidney, heart and brain damage
- Slowed motor actions
Special considerations
- Mental health concerns - as with other substances, young people who use inhalants may like the experience and get relief from tension. This limits the development of other, more constructive coping strategies.
- Pregnancy - the effects of inhalant use on the mother and baby during pregnancy, and the effects after birth, are unknown.
Signs of withdrawal
Although the effects of intoxication can be severe, there are usually not any lasting physical effects for the user. The "hangover" is less severe than that which follows drinking alcohol. However, children and youth who inhale regularly may need to inhale more to experience the same effect (tolerance).
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Working with Young People with Alcohol or Other Drug Issues: A self-paced learning package Published: 2006 Funded by NSW Drug & Alcohol Workforce Development Council. Written & compiled by Kristy Delaney, YAPA, and Matt Stubbs & John Howard, Ted Noffs Institute. Additional material by Nick Manning, YAPA, & by Shopfront Youth Legal Centre. Opinions are the author's.
Be careful! YAPA and the authors took reasonable care to ensure that this information was correct at the time of publishing. However health information, and government regulations, laws and standards are complex and changing. The authors may not have health, safety, or legal qualifications, and information provided is general - it is not specific health, legal or professional advice. Do not rely on it - check with other publications and authorities and if necessary get qualified, medical, legal or professional advice for your situation.
