Inhalants

• Inhalants are solvents or other materials producing vapour, which is inhaled or sniffed.
• Inhalant products include; glue, paint, cleaning products, petrol and gases.
• Inhalants are depressants. Some inhalants produce effects similar to alcohol, that is, they slow things down, they make you feel like not wanting to do anything and can make you drowsy, sleepy and tired.

Street names

Glue, gas, sniff, huff, chroming, poppers, and amyl.

Who uses inhalants

Some people use inhalants because the products used are cheap and easy to get. Most young people who use inhalants are only experimenting with them, they might use them once or twice, and then never again.

Other people using inhalants are social users – they use inhalants occasionally depending on what is going on in their lives and eventually grow out of it.

Long-term users have developed a serious problem with inhalants, so that they can't get by without them.

Some reasons people use inhalants:

• to get intoxicated
• to deal with problems
• to be part of the group
• an alternative to alcohol
• one of few pleasures.

Effects

Inhalants or solvents are absorbed directly through the lungs and reach the brain straight away. Heart rate and breathing become slowed. Inhaling fumes may cause:

• disorientation
• hallucinations
• loss of control
• headaches
• nausea
• suffocating.

Deep breathing of solvent fumes can cause an overdose.

Using inhalants is never SAFE.

Signs of inhalants misuse

Someone you know might be abusing inhalants if you notice the following:

• finding unusual amounts of glues, solvents or aerosol containers in your child's possession
• chemical smells on their clothes
• breath smells
• sores around nose and mouth, runny nose, wet cough.

Harm minimisation

Remove all glues, petrol and aerosols from around the home if you believe your child may be chroming. Substances that are inhaled by solvent abusers are easily available and are cheap:

• reduce the access
• talk to them
• provide diversion
• talk to an A&D worker at the local Aboriginal Health Service.

Inhalants and pregnancy

Inhaling solvents is really dangerous during pregnancy for the mother and the baby,

• Inhaling solvents reduces the ability to carry oxygen to the baby's brain.
• It may decrease body weight and size of the baby.
• High doses can cause the death of the baby or even the mother.
• Damage to reproductive cells, which means you may not be able to get pregnant.

Inhalants and the law

It's an offence to supply solvents to people who are aged less than 18 years or if the supplier believes the buyer intends to misuse the solvents.

Where to get help

If a person is concerned about their inhalant use, they need to be encouraged to get help from their local Aboriginal Health Service, their doctor or from a drug and alcohol service. Family and friends who are concerned about someone they care about can also get information and support from these places.

• Direct Line; Phone: 1800 888 236
• Family Drug Help; Phone: 1300 660 068
• Youth Substance Abuse Service (YSAS); Phone: 1800 014 446; Website: www.ysas.org.au
  Drug and alcohol services for people aged between 12 and 21 who are experiencing significant problems related to their drug use.

This fact sheet has been reproduced with permission from the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO).

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