InhalantsBy:Garrett ColeSon DangDeby Dikosso

What are Inhalants?Examples

Glue, paint thinner, gasoline, markers, propane, butane, and nitrous oxide

Ingredients and details for a common inhalant: Nitrous Oxide

• Nitrous Oxide, also know as "laughing gas", is composed of Nitrogen and Oxygen, chemicals elements which when mixed together create a strong gas.

• This gas, of formula N2O, cause the intoxication when abusing Nitrous Oxide.

How Inhalants are AdministeredInhalants can be breathed in through the mouth or nose in a variety of ways such as:•“Sniffing” or “snorting” fumes from containers•Spraying aerosols directly into nose or mouth•“bagging”- sniffing or inhaling fumes from

substances sprayed or deposited in a plastic bag•“huffing” from an inhalant soaked rag over mouth• Inhaling from balloons filled with different gasses

Common Abuses

Teens commonly abuse inhalants because of there easy availability

• They are inexpensive• Legal• Can be house hold items (glue, paint thinner,

gasoline, and markers)Inhalants are a common gateway drug or a

drug that leads to abuses of other drugs• They are a gateway drug for teens that is often a

first step to illegal dugs

Legal Consequences

•In the US, it's prohibited to sell certain products commonly use as Inhalants to minors.

•Certain states also have actions against the use or distribution of inhalants such as fines.

Effects on OrgansCommon effects on organs for Inhalants• Brain: loss of vision and

coordination, death of brain cells, brain damage, and coma

• Heart: irregular heart beat, heart attack, decreased ability to carry oxygen

• Lungs: irritation, suffocation• Liver: liver damage• Kidneys: kidney damage• Bladder: loss of bladder control

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General DangersShort term: • Resembles alcohol intoxication such as belligerence, apathy, impaired judgment,

and impaired functioning in work or social situations; nausea and vomiting • If enough is inhaled most will cause anesthesia• Death

▫ asphyxiation — from repeated inhalations that lead to high concentrations of inhaled fumes, which displace available oxygen in the lungs

• suffocation — from blocking air from entering the lungs when inhaling fumes from a plastic bag placed over the head

• convulsions or seizures — from abnormal electrical discharges in the brain• coma — from the brain shutting down all but the most vital functions• choking — from inhalation of vomit after inhalant use

Long term:Causes all of the organ damage of shone in the previous slide in addition to:• Can build up tolerance causing the use of more• Dependency• A recent survey of 43,000 American adults suggests that inhalant users initiate use

of cigarettes, alcohol, and almost all other drugs at younger ages and display a higher lifetime prevalence of substance use disorders when compared with substance abusers without a history of inhalant use

General Dangers (continued)

Dependency and Withdraws•Symptoms of withdraw may include nausea,

headache, anxiety, depression, irritability, dizziness and craving

Disruption of Family Structure•Family relationships are poor•Parental alcohol and drug use can be present

that lead to young people using inhalants•Feelings that the family does not care about

them

How are they Grown manufactured?

•Most inhalants are just common house hold objects! They are made at normal plants and sold a typical stores. That’s how easy it is for teen to get their hand on them.

Quiz1. True or false? Nitrous Oxide is another name for “laughing gas.”2. Most inhalants are actually…a) Prescription drugsb) Household and office productsc) Cold medicined) Painkillers3. Which of the following is not a short term effect of inhalants?e) Suffocationf) Intoxicationg) Lose of bladder controlh) death4. Who uses inhalants the most?i) Teensj) Adultsk) Elderly5. What is one way inhalants don’t effect your organs?l) Loss of bladder controlm) Brain damagen) Decreased ability to carry oxygen to bodyo) Anesthesia

Sourceshttp://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/inhalants/what-are-other-medical-consequences-inhalant-abuse

http://www.drugfreeworld.org/

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