Inhalant Addiction Treatment in Florida

Inhalant abuse, is the intentional inhalation of chemical vapors. An individual will inhale, or “huff,” as it is more commonly known, in order to achieve an altered mental or physical state. This altered state is usually euphoric. As many as one thousand common household products can be inhaled, or “huffed.” These chemicals fall into a few general categories: Volatile solvents, gases, nitrites, and aerosols.

                          

Volatile solvents are liquids that will vaporize at room temperature if they are left in unsealed containers. Gasoline, nail polish, paint thinners, nail polish remover, and certain glues, contain volatile solvents.  Aerosols are sprays that contain propellants and solvents. Toluene is one of the most common solvents found in aerosols.  Examples of aerosols used for inhaling include, hair products, cooking products, deodorant, and paint, especially gold and silver. Gases are substances that lack definite shape or volume. “Huffers” will often inhale gases from cigarette lighters, propane tanks, and refrigerants. Medical anesthetics such as chloroform, ether, and nitrous oxide are also abused. Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas” is the most frequently abused. This gas can be obtained from cans of whipped cream. Balloons are another source. Drug paraphernalia stores and raves sell sealed vials of nitrous oxide called “whippets.”  Nitrites, are mainly used to enhance sexual experiences rather than to achieve a euphoric effect.  Nitrates can be found in room deodorizers, and one nitrate, amyl nitrate, is sold in small mesh-covered sealed capsules. The capsules are snapped, or popped to release the vapors, hence the street names, “poppers,” or “snappers.”

Inhalant addiction symptoms include excitement, euphoria, inhibition, hallucinations, and delusion. Negative side effects include, nausea, diarrhea, bad breath, bloodshot and glazed eyes and nosebleeds.  Inhalants are highly addictive and cause irreversible damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Frequent users will experience breathing problems, memory loss, cognitive declines and confusion.

Inhalant addiction treatment and drug counseling in Stuart, Florida, approaches the addict by first trying to have them understand why they chose to get high and then teaching them how to manage their addiction, usually on an inpatient basis.