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Inhalant facts
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In some remote communities in Australia, standard unleaded petrol is being replaced by Opal fuel. Opal fuel does not produce a 'high' when sniffed; however, it can still have serious effects on a person’s health.
Inhalants can be divided into four main groups:
- Volatile solvents are liquids or semi-solids, such as glues. They are usually common household and industrial products such as paint thinners and removers, dry-cleaning fluids, degreasers, petrol and correction fluid.
- Aerosols are sprays that contain propellants and solvents and include spray paints, deodorants and hairsprays, insect sprays and vegetable oils.
- Gases include medical anaesthetics and gases used in household or commercial products such as refrigerants and fire extinguishers.
- Nitrites such as amyl, butyl and isobutyl nitrite (together known as alkyl nitrites or poppers) are clear, yellow liquids.
How are they used?
The drug is inhaled through the nose or mouth. It may be sprayed into a plastic bag, poured into a bottle or soaked onto a cloth or sleeve before being inhaled.
Some drugs are also inhaled directly from the container. Sometimes they are sprayed directly into the mouth or nose. This method is very dangerous because it can cause suffocation.
Effects of inhalants
The effects of any drug (including inhalants) vary from person to person. How inhalants affect a person depends on many things including their size, weight and health, also whether the person is used to taking it and whether other drugs are taken. The effects of any drug also depend on the amount taken.
There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some risk—even medications can produce unwanted side effects. It is important to be careful when taking any type of drug.
Immediate effects
The effects of inhalants may start to be felt immediately and can last for 45 minutes.
Low to moderate doses
Some of the effects that may be experienced after taking inhalants include:
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Higher doses
A higher dose of inhalants can increase the chances of:
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Sudden sniffing death
'Sudden sniffing death' has followed the use of aerosol sprays, cleaning and correction fluids, and model aeroplane cement. It is believed that chemicals in these products can cause heart failure, particularly if the user is stressed or does heavy exercise after inhaling. This is very rare.
Coming down
As the effects of inhalants begin to wear off, a person may experience effects such as headache, nausea and dizziness. These effects can last for a number of days.
Long-term effects
People who use inhalants long-term may experience the following effects:
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Most long-term effects are not permanent and can be reversed if use is stopped. However, some inhalants such as cleaning products, correction fluid, aerosol sprays and petrol can cause permanent damage, especially if people use them heavily for a long period.
Some of the chemicals in inhalants may build up in the body. They can irritate the stomach and the intestines, and can cause damage to the brain, nervous system, kidneys and liver.
Other effects of inhalant use
Using inhalants with other drugs
The chances of an overdose are increased if inhalants are taken with other depressant drugs such as alcohol, benzodiazepines or opiates. Using inhalants with other depressants can affect breathing rate and the heart and blood vessels. Mixing drugs can also increase the risk of passing out and suffocating or choking on vomit.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Read about the effects of drugs on pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Driving
Read about the effects of drugs on driving.
Tolerance and dependence
People who use inhalants regularly can develop dependence and tolerance to them, which means they need to take larger amounts of inhalants to get the same effect.
Evidence suggests that long-term use of inhalants can lead to a psychological dependence. People who are dependent on inhalants find that using the drug becomes far more important than other activities in their life. They crave the drug and find it very difficult to stop using it. People may find they feel an urge to use them when they are in specific surroundings or socialising with friends.
Getting help
In Australia, there are many different types of treatments for drug problems. Some aim to help a person to stop using a drug, while others aim to reduce the risks and harm related to their drug use.
Find out more about treatment.
What to do if you are concerned about someone’s inhalant use
If you are concerned about someone's drug use, there is help available. Contact the alcohol and drug information service in your state or territory.
What to do in a crisis
Always call triple zero (000) if a drug overdose is known or suspected—and remember that paramedics are not obliged to involve the police.
If someone overdoses or has an adverse reaction while using inhalants, it is very important that they receive professional help as soon as possible. A quick response can save their life.
Visit the Better Health Channel to read St John Ambulance’s advice on drug overdose.
Inhalant use in Australia
Statistics
According to the National Drug Strategy Household Survey in 2010, 3.8 per cent of Australians aged over 14 years had used inhalants at some stage in their life.
For more statistics about the use of amphetamines in Australia, visit our Quick statistics page.
Inhalants and the law
Inhalant use is not a criminal offence in any Australian state or territory.
In recent years, some Australian states and territories have revised police powers to intervene in inhalant use in two main ways. Police are authorised to:
- take away inhalants and related equipment
- pick up young people engaged in inhalant use and release them into the care of a responsible person or a place of safety.
It is also illegal in some states and territories for shopkeepers to sell products to someone if they believe they are to be used for inhaling.
Please note: This information does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon in this way. The information is correct at the time of publication. For information specific to your situation contact a legal aid service in your state or territory.
Read more about drugs and the law.
National drug policy
Australia’s national drug policy is based on harm minimisation. Strategies to minimise harm include encouraging people to avoid using a drug through to helping people to reduce the risk of harm if they do use a drug. It aims to reduce all types of drug-related harm to both the individual and the community.
Educational resources on inhalants
Find free resources on inhalants.
Search the ADF Shop for resources on inhalants.
This information has been adapted from the pamphlet How Drugs Affect You: Inhalants, produced by the Australian Drug Foundation. For single copies of this pamphlet contact DrugInfo. Multiple copies are available from the ADF Bookshop.
Last updated: 10 January 2013
