Brief Description
Many products readily found in the home or workplace—such as spray paints, markers, glues, and cleaning fluids—contain volatile substances that have psychoactive (mind-altering) properties when inhaled. People do not typically think of these products as drugs because they were never intended for that purpose. However, these products are sometimes abused in that way. They are especially (but not exclusively) abused by young children and adolescents, and are the only class of substance abused more by younger than by older teens. Learn more
Street Names
Whippets, poppers, snappers
Effects
Most inhalants produce a rapid high that resembles alcohol intoxication. If sufficient amounts are inhaled, nearly all solvents and gases produce a loss of sensation, and even unconsciousness. Irreversible effects can be hearing loss, limb spasms, central nervous system or brain damage, or bone marrow damage. Sniffing high concentrations of inhalants may result in death from heart failure or suffocation (inhalants displace oxygen in the lungs).
Statistics and Trends
| Drug |
Time Period |
8th- Graders |
10th- Graders |
12th- Graders |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inhalants | Lifetime | 11.8 | 9.9 | 7.9 |
| Past Year | 6.2 | 4.1 | 2.9 | |
| Past Month | [2.7] | 1.4 | 0.9 |
* Data in brackets indicate statistically significant change from the previous year.
| Drug |
Time Period |
Ages 12 or Older |
Ages 12-17 |
Ages 18-25 |
Ages 26 or Older |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inhalants | Lifetime | [8.0] | [7.5] | [9.1] | 7.8 |
| Past Year | 0.7 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 0.3 | |
| Past Month | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.1 |
* Data in brackets indicate statistically significant change from the previous year.
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Emerging Trends
Get more information on Emerging Trends, we will update this page with the latest research findings as they develop.
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Research Report
Inhalant Abuse
Provides scientific research on the nature and extent of inhalant abuse, its potential health consequences, and hazards of chemicals found in commonly abused inhalants.
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