What Are Inhalants?

Inhalant abuse has been going on for many years, and it’s a problem serious enough that inhalants drug rehab treatment has become necessary. Inhalants are found in a number of household products that are abused to achieve euphoria or disorientation.

It poses a unique danger due to the fact that abusers don’t have to seek out drug dealers. All they have to do is locate common, everyday items off the shelves of their homes. Many of these are products that parents would probably never even suspect could be used for the purposes of getting high.

Teen Inhalant Abuse: A Serious Problem

The need for inhalants drug rehab is very real. According to recent studies, young people aged 12 to 17 are highly likely to use inhalants. The following age groups reported using inhalants within the last month:

2% of 8th graders

1.2% of 10th graders

0.7% of 12th graders

Due to the fact of obtaining inhalants, young people are highly susceptible to trying them. One in 11 teens will try inhalants at least once, which is a good reason to consider inhalants drug rehab for your child.

According to recent information from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the type of inhalant sought depends on age:

Teens aged 12–15: paint, glue (especially model glue), lighter fluid, gasoline

Teens ages 16–17: nitrous oxide

Securing solvents and aerosol sprays so that they can’t be taken and misused isn’t always easy or feasible. If you suspect your teen has become involved with inhalants, it’s a good idea to seek inhalants drug rehab treatment to protect your child’s future.

Statistics on Inhalant Abuse

What are the total numbers of teens trying inhalants? One US survey using four years of data indicated a shocking 593,000 teens between 12 and 17 had used inhalants within the past year before being surveyed. That’s a whole lot of teens putting their lives in danger. And parents need to realize that inhalants drug rehab is a necessity in this day and age.

Here are some additional facts that you should know about inhalant abuse so that you can be certain that inhalants drug rehab is the right thing to do:

Nearly 23 million American have tried inhalants

Of inhalant abusers who died from Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome, 2% were first-time users

In other parts of the world, the problem is even worse:

60,000 homeless children in Nairobi, Kenya are addicted to inhalants

80% to 90% of street children in Karachi, Pakistan sniff glue or solvents

Types of Inhalants

These are some of the most commonly abused inhalants, all of which are readily available in many households:

Model glue: Although not sold as freely as it was 30 or 40 years ago, model glue is a powerful inhalant that many young teenagers fall victim to. Inhalants drug rehab treatment may be in your child’s future if he or she is huffing model glue.

Spray paint: This is probably one of the most commonly used inhalants. Spray paint is very inexpensive and easy to obtain, making it an attractive target for young teenagers looking to abuse them. It’s usually sprayed into a bag and inhaled. Users generally report feeling dazed. The high that’s created doesn’t last long, usually just a few minutes. This leads users to huff again a short time later so that they can achieve a high that is sustained. Inhalants drug rehab treatment is often necessary for young people to kick the habit.

Nitrous oxide (laughing gas): Inhaling nitrous oxide, called whip-its, can cause many health problems, including hearing loss, liver/kidney damage, limb spasms, damage to the central nervous system and brain damage. It can also do harm to bone marrow as well as cause heart failure. If you suspect your child is doing whip-its, inhalants drug rehab may be necessary to prevent tragedy.

Other common inhalants include:

Nail polish remover

Cooking spray

Gasoline

Correction fluid (Liquid Paper, Wite-Out)

Cleaning fluids

Inhalant Abuse and the Need For Inhalants Drug Rehab

Inhalants are abused by the process of “huffing,” where individuals inhale the fumes to get a high. To achieve the maximum effect, users will usually spray or pour the substance into a bag and breath the vapors deeply.

Many intense but short-lived side effects will occur during inhalant abuse, indicating the need for inhalants drug rehab. These side effects include:

Dizziness

Slurred speech

Lightheadedness

Nausea

Coordination problems

Cognitive distortion

Disorientation & confusion

Typically, users will experience the effects of huffing within seconds. The high doesn’t last long, usually only a few minutes. Long-term huffing will lead to serious damage to the body. Naturally, it’s best to seek inhalants drug rehab before the worst happens. Damaging effects include:

Memory loss

Seizures & spasms

Vision & hearing damage

Liver & kidney damage

Brain damage

Extensive human and animal research has revealed just how toxic inhalant use can be. A quick review of the following should illustrate the need for inhalants drug rehab:

Overuse of inhalants may cause comprehensive and long-term damage to parts of the nervous system and the brain. The nerve damage that inhalant users experience is similar to that of multiple sclerosis victims.

Inhalants are capable of doing extensive damage to users’ hearts, lungs, kidneys and liver.

Repeated long-term use of inhalants can have a pronounced effect on cognition, hearing, vision and movement.

When inhalants are taken in extremely concentrated amounts, the result can result in heart failure and death, a condition called sudden sniffing death. This phenomenon is closely connected to inhaling propane, butane and the chemicals in aerosols.

Inhalant abuse is every bit as dangerous as abusing infamous street drugs although its victims seldom believe it. Inhalants drug rehab treatment is necessary to effectively overcome this crippling and sometimes deadly addiction.

Inhalant abuse is considered to be a problem exclusively with young teens. Unknown to many people, however, is that the fact inhalants drug rehab is needed by adults as well. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a shocking 54% of individuals who seek inhalants drug rehab treatment are over age 18.

To make inhalants drug rehab treatment more effective, facilities will often divide patients by age group. At present, adults are far more likely than teens to pursue treatment for inhalants abuse. SAMHSA indicates that a mere 8% of children 12–17 receive rehab treatment, of which 48% are inhalants addicts. If you suspect your child could be abusing inhalants, it’s your job is seek professional help before something terrible happens.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Inhalants Drug Rehab Treatment

Once the courageous decision to seek inhalants drug rehab treatment has been made, the next decision will be what type of treatment is appropriate for you or your loved one. The choice between inpatient and outpatient treatment must be determined by a number of factors, such as:

How advanced is your inhalant addiction?

How long have you been abusing?

Do you have a stable home environment?

Is your family supportive of your rehab efforts?

For some, the inpatient experience makes sense because it removes any access to inhalants. Without temptations so near, it’s easier to focus completely on recovery. On the other hand, some patients will be better suited to outpatient treatment if school, work or family responsibilities won’t permit the restrictions necessary for inpatient inhalants drug rehab treatment.

Understanding Inhalant Tolerance and Inhalant Dependence

SAMHSA research studies indicate that a shocking 1.1 million adults abuse inhalants every year, which indicated the strong need for inhalants drug rehab treatment. When someone becomes tolerant of inhalants, more are needed to achieve the desired effect. Tolerance is, in fact, one key indicator of a problem. Other determining factors include:

Users continue huffing despite knowing about the dangers

Work & leisure activities diminish in importance for users

Obtaining inhalants and huffing them is all that seems to matter

Every effort to give up inhalants fails

Frequency of inhalant abuse is increasing

Should you or a loved one meet several of the above criteria, it’s very likely that you’re addicted to inhalants. Don’t allow addiction to continue unabated. Inhalants drug rehab treatment is the most effective way to overcome your addiction.

How Long Does Inhalants Drug Rehab Treatment Take?

The most common length of time for most types of drug rehab is 28 to 30 days. For many people, this is enough time to get clean and learn how to remain clean after leaving the facility. However, some people will require a 60-day or even a 90-day stay in order for treatment to be the most effective.

Inhalants drug rehab for teens can be difficult. When they arrive at a rehab center, they are often difficult to reach and they try to remain distant. Fortunately, they are able to open up to, and bond with, their peers going through the same thing. As a result, group counseling is highly effective for this age group.

Inhalants addiction will frequently require a lengthier treatment plan than other substances. Why? Mostly because inhalants are embedded in body fat. As a result, it may take a number of weeks for lingering effects of inhalants to stop. For this reason, a 30-day inhalants drug rehab treatment plan may not be sufficient to achieve a successful recovery.

When it comes to inhalants, many of the usual ways of treating addiction have to change. For example, detox may take longer than it will for other types of addiction. While a 30-day rehab treatment is very common for many patients, inhalants drug rehab treatment frequently needs 60 days or even 90 days to reach maximum effectiveness. As you’re researching rehab centers, be certain that facilities you’re looking at are well versed in inhalants drug rehab treatment specifically. Ask about their success rates with this unique type of addiction. If they can’t provide them, it’s time to keep looking.

What Happens During Inhalants Drug Rehab Treatment?

Individuals with an inhalant addiction often have shorter-than-normal attention spans and will have difficulty absorbing new information. Consequently, treatment components such as one-on-one counseling may be briefer than usual at first. As treatment progresses, the patient’s mental state is frequently assessed. As a patient’s mental abilities increase, treatment sessions will become longer.

When patients are teenagers, siblings or parents may also have had addiction problems or they may have difficulty dealing with the loved one’s addiction. To remedy such situations, inhalants drug rehab treatment will frequently incorporate family therapy.

How Can I Pay for Inhalants Drug Rehab Treatment?

For many people, health insurance plans will cover a significant portion of the treatment fees. Fortunately, most accredited drug rehab centers will accept a wide variety of insurance plans. An addiction specialist from a facility will be able to go over your plan with you to determine if you will owe anything out-of-pocket for treatment. Plans can vary widely so it’s impossible to make a blanket statement about what is covered.

Should I Stay Near Home Or Travel For Inhalants Drug Rehab Treatment?

It’s tempting to pursue treatment locally due to the convenience factor. However, your local environment has been the breeding ground for your inhalants addiction. Quite often, it’s a good idea to leave your familiar surroundings and go elsewhere for treatment. Recovery is all about new beginnings. Therefore, being in a new environment for treatment can help reinforce this idea.

What Happens When Inhalants Drug Rehab Has Been Completed?

When you return to your home after treatment, you will once again be subjected to a host of familiar temptations and triggers. Had you tried to beat inhalants addiction on your own, you’d have a very difficult time dealing with them. However, effective rehab treatment teaches you how to deal with triggers and temptations so that you can avoid relapse over the long term. Some facilities will offer aftercare programs to help reinforce what you learned during rehab. For some people, these programs are an important part of the recovery process.

Don’t Let Addiction Win

No one ever said that overcoming addiction was easy. It isn’t. However, the prospect of a life free from drugs is worth the challenges of detox and rehab treatment. Get help today before your inhalants addiction spirals out of control.