Inhalants are well recognized as being one of the most used and destructive drugs amongst children, teens, incarcerated people, and institutionalized people. An inhalant can be a gas, aerosol, or solvent, which is breathed and absorbed through the lungs. Most commonly used inhalants, which are used as recreational drugs are:


  • Household products/organic solvants
      *Cleaning products, fast drying glues, nail polish removers
  • Fuels
      *Gasoline (petrol), Kerosene
  • Propellant gases
      *Hairspray, cooking spray, aerosol cans, freon

The most common users of inhalants are teenagers. In fact, within Canada in 1993, a small native community of Davis Inlet, located in northern Labrador (Newfoundland, Canada), had great media attention. A problem was occurring where, children and teenagers were found sniffing gasoline from garbage bags. Both the provincial and Federal governments intervened, having to send many children and teenagers off to treatment.


Typical forms of use can include: inhaling the vapor using plastic bags held over the mouth, breathing in solvent soaked rags, and or breathing over an open container.

Numerous side effects and damage can be done from using inhalants, such as:

  • Alcohol like intoxication
  • Intense euphoria
  • Vivid hallucinations
  • Emotional disturbances
  • Cause hearing loss
  • Limb spasms
  • Damage to the central nervous system and brain
  • Liver and kidney damage
  • Blood oxygen depletion

Unfortunately, many young people have died from using inhalants, due to:

  • Hypoxia (lack of oxygen)
  • Pneumonia
  • Cardiac failure or arrest
  • Aspiration of vomit

The scariest aspect of this is, these products, which are used as inhalants are found in every household, and can be purchased in every community. Awareness to this problem is the best solution to prevent it from occurring in the first place. For more information to help some battling an inhalant addiction, contact Narconon right away.

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1-877-782-7409
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Works cited “Inhalants.” Wikipedia. 14 April. 2009. 15 April. 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volatile_substance_abuse

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Author's Bio: 

Narconon is a residential drug and alcohol treatment center. We deliver effective rehabilitation for drug and or alcohol addiction. We also are greatly involved within the community and the province spreading the message, "The truth about drugs", through drug education and prevention lectures. Visit our website here