We hear and read so much in the news these days about opiate addiction in the form of painkillers and heroin. Sometimes, we forget there’s a myriad of other substances people are abusing. Back in the late 1960s and early 70s, glue sniffing was popular among teenagers and young adults. If you are under the delusion these types of substances are no longer the target of abuse, you are misguided. The fact is inhalant drug abuse stills exists and creates problems for users.

What is Inhalant Drug Abuse?

Young person on park bench worried about inhalant drug abuse in herselfAs the term indicates, inhalants are substances people inhale to get high. The attraction for the user is a sense of euphoria or sedation. Generally, inhalants come in several forms, many of which we would consider everyday household products. The four general categories of inhalants are:

  • Solvents–liquids that become gas at room temperature
  • Gases–nitrous oxide
  • Nitrites–prescription pain medicines for chest pain
  • Aerosol sprays

The act of inhalant drug abuse comes from using these substances in a manner not intended–inhaling. While the desired effects might be pleasurable, these substances are addictive and carry with them some severe side effects. The side effects can include:

  • A general loss of motor control
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Persistent rash around the mouth and nose from inhaling
  • Hallucinations
  • Slurred speech and inability to process coherent thoughts
  • Jerking actions

Taken to the extreme, inhalant drug abuse could lead to severe brain damage and even death. Experts use the term “sudden sniffing death” to describe what happens when the heart simply stops after inhaling solvents. Depending on the substance, it’s entirely possible for a user to experience these extreme repercussions at any time.

Treating Inhalant Drug Abuse

While it’s hard to believe household substances could be so dangerous, inhalant drug abuse is a serious problem. As with other addictions, inhalant abuse will almost always require the user to get treatment from a rehab center. For the most part, the treatment process is the same one would experience with heroin or meth addiction.

Depending on the depth of the addiction, the patient might require a stint in drug detox. Like with other substances, inhalants can produce withdrawal symptoms like tremors, muscle and stomach cramping, anxiety, heart issues, and breathing problems. Detox allows the patient to get past their withdrawal symptoms and cravings before submitting to therapy.

In therapy, the patient will get an opportunity to learn more about the dangers surrounding their addiction. They will also get the opportunity to understand better why they feel the need to get high. Through open and honest communication, the causes will come to light, leading to possible solutions. Many times, the answer to addiction is the development of better coping skills for recovery. With the right coping skills in place, the recovering addict stands a better chance of staying in recovery.

Premier Addiction Treatment at Beaches Recovery

Beaches Recovery treatment center sits in Jacksonville, Florida. We specialize in providing a full range of addiction therapy services. We do so by working with our patients to create custom programs that will meet the patient’s specific needs. Some of our addiction services include:

If you are having a problem with inhalant drug abuse, we encourage you to pursue help. This is not something that will end well if you persist. The first step of recovery requires you admit you have a problem then ask for help. You can get that help by calling Beaches Recovery at 866.605.0532. If the road to a lasting recovery is only a call away, why not make it right now?