Inhalants
There are four main types of inhalants:
- Volatile solvents
- Aerosol sprays
- Gases
- Nitrites
- Personal Stories
"My son was sniffing aerosols. Not all the time but now and then. He was at my sister’s house and he inhaled an air freshener. He passed out and went into cardiac arrest which killed him instantly." -Natalie,
effects
Most inhalants have an immediate effect. The high usually only lasts for a few minutes. Users sometimes keep on sniffing to prolong the high in some cases this can lead to loss of consciousness, brain damage, and even death.
Effects of inhalants vary, but may include:
Immediate
- Increased heart rate
- Feeling light headed and dizzy
- Loss of inhibitions
- Agitation
- Loss of coordination and balance
- Irritation to the eyes, nose and throat
- Aggressive behaviour
- Slurred speech
- Headaches
- Confusion and drowsiness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hallucinations (e.g. seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there)
- Suffocation
- Seizures
- ‘Sudden sniffing death’ syndrome.
Long-term
- Dependence (addiction)
- Brain damage
- Tremors
- Problems breathing
- Loss of hearing and vision
- Increased risk of leukaemia from petrol sniffing
- Damage to the immune system, bones, nerves, kidney, liver, heart, and lungs.
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