Inhalants
inhalant; solvent; volatile; glue; sniffing; drug; drugs; aerosol; butane; lighter; fluid; petrol; nitrous; oxide; chuffing; choof; choofing;
Contents
Use of inhalants ('sniffing', 'choofing') has been going on for a long time. It is more common for people under 16 years of age to use inhalants as inhalants may be easier for young people to get than alcohol or other drugs. Sniffing inhalants can be very dangerous, and many young people have died or been badly damaged.
What they are
- Inhalants are products that have vapours or fumes that, when they are inhaled (or breathed in), can cause the feeling of being disoriented or 'out of it'. Inhalants are also called solvents or volatile substances.
- Most inhalants have a depressant effect. Depressants are substances that slow down the brain.
- Many everyday solvents around the house have been deliberately used as inhalants, eg. glue, butane, aerosol sprays, cleaning fluid, felt pens, liquid paper, paint thinner and petrol. Other inhalants are amyl nitrate and nitrous oxide. All of these are dangerous.
How they work
- When people 'choof' or 'sniff' a volatile substance the chemicals move very quickly.
- They move into the lungs and then straight into the bloodstream, and to the brain.
- The chemicals in the blood slow down the messages going to and from the brain and through the central nervous system, producing the strange sensations.
- Some young people breathe them from a plastic bag - it is extremely dangerous to breathe anything from a plastic bag - it can cause suffocation.
Further information
Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia
http://www.dassa.sa.gov.au/
Drug Info Clearinghouse (Australian Drug Foundation)
http://druginfo.adf.org.au/
Why do people use them?
As with any drug (from caffeine to speed or heroin), people use it for their own reasons. Some reasons why people use inhalants are:
- they find it exciting
- they want to escape from problems in their life
- to be tough in front of their mates
- to try out something they haven't done before
- to show adults or authority figures they can do what they want to
- it is cheaper and easier to get than alcohol
- they cannot stop doing it when they have been sniffing for a long time.
Every person's experience will be different. However, there are other, healthier ways of feeling good.
Worried about someone?
If your friend uses inhalants, you could try talking with him or her. This may not be easy - they might get angry or deny the problem.
- Stay calm and reasonable, stick to the point and don't get drawn into other arguments.
- Let your friend know you care for him or her, but are concerned about his or her behaviour and health.
- Don't try talking to your friend when he or she is affected by the inhalant, and don't get angry with them.
- You can't make them change - you can only try to help them see how inhaling is affecting their life and health.
Alert
- If someone is unconscious call 000 for an ambulance straight away.
- If someone is affected by inhalants:
- do not upset or frighten them because if they run away or get very stressed after using inhalants it can be dangerous (stress plus inhalants can cause heart rhythm problems)
- remove the inhalant
- move them into a safe place if needed, or take them into the fresh air, or open windows if the person cannot be moved
- lie the person on the side (the 'coma' position or 'side stable' position) to prevent inhaling vomit.
Resources in South Australia
Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia
http://www.dassa.sa.gov.au
- ADIS - Alcohol and Drug Information Service.
24 hour 7 day telephone service that provides information, counselling and referrals for people with drug problems and concerned friends and family.
1300 13 13 40
The Second Story Youth Health Service (TSS)
http://www.cyh.com/SubContent.aspx?p=223
- Central: 57 Hyde St, Adelaide
- South: 50a Beach Rd, Christies Beach
- North: 6 Gillingham Rd, Elizabeth
- West: 51 Bower St, Woodville
Youth Healthline
1300 13 17 19
http://www.cyh.com/SubContent.aspx?cp=187&p=222
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).