Inhalants

forms of inhalants

• Volatile Solvents
  • liquids that easily vaporize into a gas
  • eg. butane gas fumes, gasoline, paint thinners
• Aerosols
  • substances enclosed under pressure and able to be released as a fine spray, typically by means of a propellant gas
  • eg. deodorant, hair spray, vegetable oil spray
• Gases
  • substances or pieces of matters in a states in which they will expand freely to fill the whole of a container, having no fixed shape and no fixed volume
  • eg. spray paint, lighter fluid, nitrous oxide
• Nitrates
  • a salt or ester of nitric acid, containing the anion NO3− or the group —NO3.
  • eg. amyl, butyl, cyclohexyl nitrites

effects of inhalants

• Belligerence
  • aggressive or warlike behavior
• Apathy
  • lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern
• Impaired Judgement
  • a medical condition that results in a person not being able to make good decisions because of an underlying medical problem, environmental factors, diet, or drugs and alcohol
• Lethargy
  • a lack of energy and enthusiasm; a pathological state of sleepiness or deep unresponsiveness and inactivity
• Inability to coordinate movements
  • a lack of coordination, especially the inability to use different parts of the body together smoothly and efficiently

legal consequences

• Minnesota: fine of up to 1,000 and/or up to 90 days in prison

signs of inhalant abuse

• Chemical odors on breath or clothing
• Paint or other stains on face, hands, or clothing
• Drunk/disoriented appearance
• Nausea

strategies for drug (ab)use prevention in high schools

ThinkSmart Curriculum:

1. Refusal skills
2. Minimalizing peer use of inhalants
3. Stopping normalization of inhalant use
4. Knowledge of drug-related consequences
5. Assertiveness skills
6. Cultural identity

Minnesota inhalant treatment programs

Burkwood Treatment Center (Residential Program)

Anthony Louis Center (Residential Program)

fast facts + statistics about drug use

• Most commonly abused drug in the Twin Cities: prescription drugs
• What helps/hinders the success of drug treatment:?
  • Helps: personalized courses/programs, residential care, support from friends and family members
  • Hinders: social isolation, lack of support, peers that also abuse drugs
• How effective is treatment?
  • Average residential stay at both facilities was roughly 40 days, and although success rates are not explicitly stated, the majority of residents remain sober

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