Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsRecognizingRisksTreatment

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Recognizing

Risks

Treatment

What is the most important information I should know about inhalant use disorder?The use of inhalants is one of the most acutely dangerous forms of substance use and can result in sudden death, even the first time they are used.

What is the most important information I should know about inhalant use disorder?

The use of inhalants is one of the most acutely dangerous forms of substance use and can result in sudden death, even the first time they are used.

Inhalants are a range of substances, including volatile hydrocarbons, toxic gasses typically found in household products such as glue, paint thinners, white-out, and various cleaning products. The repeated use of inhalants can sometimes lead to an addiction known as inhalant use disorder.

Inhalant use disorder is a psychiatric condition that applies to the deliberate use of inhalants. This diagnosis does not apply to the accidental inhalation of toxic or psychoactive substances, even if they are the same substances that people inhale when they have inhalant use disorder and even if they produce identical effects.

Prevalence

Symptoms of Inhalant Use Disorder

Inhalant use disorder refers to a problematic pattern of inhalant use over time, not the acute effects of inhalants, even if they are life-threatening. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-5-TR), identifies the following symptoms of the condition:

The number of symptoms present is used to gauge the severity of the disorder. The condition can be specified as mild (two to three symptoms), moderate (four to five symptoms), or severe (six or more symptoms).

Recognizing Inhalant Use Disorder

Many of the signs that someone has the inhalant use disorder are similar to the typical problems of adolescence so this can add to the confusion of worried parents of teenagers.

It is important to build a relationship of trust before confronting a person with your suspicions, in fact, a confrontational approach is not typically very effective.

Signs of inhalant use disorder that may be typical teenage behavior include social and interpersonal problems, changing friendship groups, getting into arguments or fights with family or others, withdrawing from family, excessive sleepiness, neglect of chores and other expectations, moodiness, and socially unacceptable behavior, such as rude and disrespectful behavior, particularly towards authority figures.

Signs of inhalant use disorder that are less likely to be typical teenage behavior include:

Health Risks of Inhalant Use Disorder

Inhalants have serious health risks. In the short-term, people may experience hallucinations and delusions. Inhalants can also be deadly, leading to seizures, coma, cardiac arrest, and death.

Long-term risks of inhalant use include bone marrow damage, brain damage, hearing loss, and liver and kidney damage.

If you believe someone has overdosed on inhalants, contact 911 immediately.911

If you believe someone has overdosed on inhalants, contact 911 immediately.

911

Treatment for Inhalant Use Disorder

There are no FDA-approved medications to treat inhalant use disorder. Behavioral interventions can often be helpful, however. Some treatments that may be used include:

Support groups and lifestyle modifications can also help support long-term recovery from inhalant use disorder. If you think you might have an inhalant addiction, talk to your doctor about your treatment options.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

How to Overcome an Addiction

4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are inhalants?Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA).Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.National Institute on Drug Abuse.How can inhalant use be recognized?Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association,Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, DSM-5, American Psychiatric Association, 2013.

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are inhalants?Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA).Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.National Institute on Drug Abuse.How can inhalant use be recognized?Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association,Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, DSM-5, American Psychiatric Association, 2013.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are inhalants?Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA).Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.National Institute on Drug Abuse.How can inhalant use be recognized?

National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are inhalants?

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA).Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.

National Institute on Drug Abuse.How can inhalant use be recognized?

American Psychiatric Association,Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, DSM-5, American Psychiatric Association, 2013.

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