Download this fact sheet: Inhalant use by young people [PDF: 622 KB]
Number 2.2 revised August 2004
Introduction
In recent years, government, research and media reports have identified inhalant use as a growing problem among young people in Australia.
Although not much is known in the general community about the dangers and effects of inhalant use as a form of intoxication, there were some reports in the United States of its use by young people in the 1940s. In Australia , early reports of young people sniffing glue and petrol date back to the 1970s. In 1992, the World Health Organization recognised the use of inhalants for intoxication as an increasing problem world-wide.
This fact sheet aims to provide parents with information on the problems associated with inhalant use, including:
- substances used and their effects.
- who uses them and why.
- some tips on what to do if you think your child may be using inhalants.
What are inhalants?
Inhalants are a range of products (many of which are familiar household items) which, when vaporised and inhaled, may cause the user to feel intoxicated, or “high”. Many of the products used as inhalants are known as “volatile substances” because they include aerosol and gas fuels as well as glues and other forms of solvents. Around 250 products available in Australian supermarkets, newsagencies and hardware stores have been identified as containing potentially intoxicating, inhalable solvents.
Street names
Some street names for inhalants include “glue”, “gas”, “sniff”, “huff” and “poppers”.
How are inhalants used?
Chroming
Inhalant use is often referred to as “chroming” (as in the use of chrome paint). However, chroming is only one method of administration commonly used. The user sprays paint from an aerosol can into a plastic bag and then breathes in the fumes or vapours from the bag.
The re-breathing of exhaled air in the bag causes anoxia (oxygen deficiency), which makes the effects stronger.
Other methods
Other ways of using inhalants include:
- spraying the substance directly into the mouth from the container
- spraying the substance into a balloon and then allowing the balloon to implode inside the mouth
- saturating a rag or cloth with the substance and holding it over the nose and mouth while inhaling (known as “huffing”)
- heating the substance
- filling a vessel such as a sink or bathtub in a closed room.
Inhalant use in Australia
A survey in 2000 by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found that, of Australians aged 14 years and over, 2.6 per cent had used inhalants at some time in their life.
In 1999, a national survey of secondary school students found that:
- 26 per cent of students had used inhalants at some time in their life '
- around half of students who had used inhalants in the previous year had used them on only one or two occasions
- use of inhalants was related to age—younger students (aged 12–13 years) were five times more likely than older students (17 years) to have ever used inhalants
- slightly more girls had used inhalants in their lifetime, but boys tended towards longer, heavier or more regular use.
In 2002, in its Inquiry into the Inhalation of Volatile Substances, the Victorian Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee found petrol sniffing to be a huge problem in some Indigenous communities in remote parts of the country. Chroming was found to be the most popular and frequently used form of inhalant use in Victorian and other Australian cities.
Effects of inhalants
Like alcohol, inhalants are “depressants”. This does not mean they make you feel depressed. Rather, they slow down the activity of the brain and central nervous system. Messages to and from the brain to the body, including physical, mental and emotional responses, are affected.
Due to the number and variety of products used as inhalants, it is not possible to list here the specific effects of each particular substance. It is important to note that, as with all other drugs, many factors can have an influence on how the person is affected. For example, age and physical characteristics (such as weight), and the type and quantity of the substance used. The method of use can also vary the effects of the substance.
Immediate and short-term effects
Small amounts of inhalants can affect the user quite quickly, due to their rapid entry into the bloodstream through the lungs. Some of the immediate and short-term effects include:
- intoxication: within 3–5 minutes of using inhalants, the person may feel intoxicated, happy and less inhibited; a sustained “high” may be achieved by repeated use
- mood change: can vary from mild excitement to euphoria; sometimes the person may become agitated or uneasy
- drowsiness: sometimes the initial excitement is followed by drowsiness
- 'flu-like symptoms: inhalants may cause sneezing, coughing, glazed eyes or a runny nose, like having a cold or the 'flu
- sickness: inhalants can make the user feel sick and have diarrhoea
- unpleasant breath
- nosebleeds, bloodshot eyes and sores around the nose and mouth
- reckless behaviour: sometimes people do risky or dangerous things after using inhalants, which may cause serious accidents
- suffocation: spraying substances directly into the mouth can paralyse the wind passages and freeze the throat, resulting in the person being unable to breathe.
Most of these effects usually occur within an hour of inhaling. Hangovers and headaches, sometimes lasting for several days, may occur after the immediate effects have passed.
In greater quantities
If large amounts of inhalants are used, the person could become confused and lose their body coordination. Other side effects include not being able to see properly and passing out.
Short-term use
Some glue sniffers have been admitted to hospital unable to control their movements or speak properly, and having convulsions or fits. However, most of these symptoms usually clear within a few hours and rarely cause permanent damage. Some people have problems with their breathing, but this improves over time.
Long-term effects
Over time, heavy and frequent users may experience the following effects:
- health problems: long-term users may appear pale, have tremors, lose weight, feel tired and be unusually thirsty. They may also have anaemia, because some inhalants affect the production of blood. Inhalants (chroming in particular) can cause eye problems—blood vessels can burst in the eyes, making them completely red and eventually leading to blindness
- brain damage: a build-up of chemicals (such as the lead in petrol) in the body can cause damage to the brain, nervous system, kidneys and liver, and can irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines. Prolonged and heavy use can cause stupor or coma, breathing problems, irregular heart beat and seizures
- impaired thinking: the user may become forgetful and be less able to think clearly
- psychological impairment: the user may become irritable, hostile, depressed or feel persecuted.
Permanent effects
Most long-term effects are not necessarily permanent, and can be reversed if inhalant use is stopped. However, inhalation of cleaning products, correction fluid and aerosol sprays can cause permanent damage.
Permanent brain damage is rare, but can occur if the person uses inhalants for a long period of time.
Drinking alcohol and using inhalants can increase the damage to the body substantially.
Danger/death
Only a small number of people have ever died from using inhalants.
The main danger comes from accidents when intoxicated, such as suffocation by the plastic bags used to inhale, choking on vomit when unconscious and reckless behaviours.
“Sudden sniffing death” has been known to follow the use of aerosol sprays, cleaning and correction fluids and model aeroplane cement.
Although rare, it is believed that the chemicals in these products can cause heart failure, especially if the user is stressed or does heavy exercise after inhaling.
Tolerance and dependence
Regular users can develop a tolerance to inhalants, so that they need greater quantities of the substance to produce the same effects.
Regular use of inhalants can result in physical and/or psychological dependence. Physical dependence means that the person’s body is used to functioning with the inhalant present, and needs the drug to feel normal. Psychological dependence means that using inhalants becomes far more important to the person than other activities in their life. When a person is physically or psychologically dependent on inhalants, they crave using inhalants, and will find it very difficult to stop.
Withdrawal
Abruptly stopping use can cause withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, depression, anxiety, loss of appetite, irritation, aggressive behaviour, dizziness, tremors and nausea.
Inhalants and the law
Use or possession of volatile substances is not illegal in Victoria . Most inhalants are common household products, so it is not practical to make them illegal. It is also unlikely that this would help protect young people from harm.
It is illegal, however, to sell a product to someone if you believe that it is to be used for the purposes of inhalation.
In Victoria , new laws that came into effect on 1 July 2004 allow police to question young people under the age of 18 years regarding volatile substances in their possession, and to confiscate these substances if they believe the young person to be in danger of harm by use of the substances.
Police may also detain the young person in order to transport him/her to a parent, guardian or youth drug and alcohol service, as appropriate.
Who uses inhalants?
Most inhalant users are teenagers. Some adults involved in the “dance scene” use inhalants such as amyl nitrate (“poppers”).
There are three broad categories of user:
- the experimenter: most teenage users fall into this category; they try it once or twice, then stop by themselves
- social/situational user: mostly use inhalants in the company of friends or in certain situations; the amount used varies, depending on what else is going on in their lives. These users often develop other interests and move away from this practice
- long-term, dependent user: a small number of people, often who have other major problems in their lives. They may use inhalants alone or with other people who also use regularly. They may feel bad about using, but feel unable to give up.
Why do young people use inhalants?
Young people who use inhalants often give similar reasons to adults who use alcohol or other drugs. Some reasons include:
- to have fun or excitement
- for intoxication, to get high or “out of it”
- to be part of a group
- to shock adults, or to copy the behaviour of adults who use alcohol
- as an alternative to using alcohol or other more expensive drugs
- to deal with problems
- inhalants are legal, easily available and cheap to buy.
Experimenting with inhalants can be a part of growing up and, for most, it is a passing interest and they move on to other activities. Some people move on to using other drugs.
Is your child using inhalants?
It may not be possible to tell if your child is or has been using inhalants. There are no clear signs or symptoms, but some indications are:
- possession of unusual amounts of glues, solvents or aerosol containers
- chemical smells on their clothes or breath
- unexpected and rapid “drunken” behaviour
- bloodshot eyes
- sores around the nose and mouth.
What parents can do
If you think your child may be using inhalants:
This may be difficult, but if you are able to remain calm, your child is more likely to discuss a problem with you.
- Communicate with your child.
Find out what is happening with your child. Really listen to what he or she is saying, and try to understand their point of view.
- Remember that your child may only be experimenting.
- Show your concern.
Make it clear that you are concerned because you love your child and want her or him to be safe.
If your child is using inhalants on a regular basis, he or she needs your help and support. Call the alcohol and drug information service for advice.
Support for families
For counselling
DirectLine, tel. 1800 888 236
Confidential alcohol and drug counselling and referral, 24 hours, 7 days
Youth Substance Abuse Service tel. 1800 014 446
24-hour counselling, support and referral for 12–21-year-olds
For support
Family Drug Help, tel. 1300 660 068
A support service staffed by trained volunteers and professional counsellors
For information on drugs and drug prevention, or to access our other fact sheets and reports, visit our website at www.druginfo.adf.org.au or contact the DrugInfo Clearinghouse Resource Centre on
tel. 1300 85 85 84.