InhalantsInhalants

What are inhalants?What are inhalants?

Drugs that are inhaled for a desired effect. Its volatile substance whose chemical vapors can be inhaled.

Inhalants are chemicals (gas form) that, when breathed in, decreased the flow of oxygen to the brain.

The effect of inhalants in the body is very fast because it enters the bloodstream directly through the lungs.

MisuseMisuse

People unknowingly misuse or abuse inhalants

People should read the product labels carefully

Close the chemical container properly to avoid accidental inhalation.

SniffingSniffing

Breathed in through the nose

Ex: Glue sniffing , the sniffed chemicals travel rapidly from the lungs through the blood to the brain and other organs.

HuffingHuffing

Breathed in through the mouth

How do inhalants affect the How do inhalants affect the body?body?

Vapors are absorbed through the lungslungs

Vapors then enter the Vapors then enter the bloodstreambloodstream

Once in the Once in the bloodblood, they travel to the , they travel to the brainbrain and other and other tissuestissues in the body in the body

How do inhalants affect the How do inhalants affect the body?body?

Inhalants depress the functions of the nervous system

Without oxygen, the heart is forced to beat more rapidly to get blood to the brain.

How many products can be How many products can be abused?abused?

There are more than 1.400 inhalant products that have the potential to be abused.

What products could be What products could be inhalants?inhalants?

Glues/adhesivesCleaning products (ammonia)Paint and paint thinnerMarkersGasoline and other fuelsHair SpraysWhite out

Some of the effects of Some of the effects of inhalants include:inhalants include:

Slurred speechHallucinationsDrowsinessDizzinessNausea (headaches)VomitingBlurred visionLoss of coordinationDEATH

http://www.inhalants.org/damage.htm

If someone uses inhalants for If someone uses inhalants for a long timea long time

Memory LossConcentration ProblemsBlindnessMotor ProblemsNerve Damage

ExampleExample

1. Volatile solvents- liquids that vaporize at room temperature

industrial or household products, including paint thinners or removers, degreasers, dry-cleaning fluids, gasoline and lighter fluid.

Art or office supply solvents, including correction fluid, felt-tip marker fluid. Electronic contact cleaners, and glue.

ExampleExample

2. Aerosols- are sprays that contain propellants and solvents.

Household aerosol propellants in items such as spray paints, hair or deodorant sprays, fabric protector sprays, aerosol computer cleaning products, and vegetable oil sprays.

ExampleExample

3. Gases- found in the household or commercial products and used as medical anesthetics.

Household or commercial products, including butane lighters and propane tanks, whipped cream aerosols or dispensers (whippets), and refrigerant gases

Medical anesthetics, such as ether, chloroform, halothane, nitrous oxide (laughing gas)

Nitrates- special class of inhalants that are used primarily as sexual enhancers.

Organic nitrates are volatiles that include cyclohexyl, butyl, and amyl nitrites, commonly knowna s poppers.

Amyl nitrite is still used in certain diagnostic medical procedures. When marketed for illicit use, organic nitrites are often sold in small brown bottles labeled as “video head cleaner” “room deodorizer”, “leather cleaner”, or liquid aroma.

THINK AND LEARNTHINK AND LEARN

Check the statements or words below which you think are signs of drug abuse

1.Major changes in behavior2.Sudden changes in mood3.Poor school performance4.Changes in appearance5.Irresponsible decision making6.Aggresiveness7.Lying8.Withdrawn attitude9.Loss of memory10.Denial of any problems11.Poor coordination