Inhalants and young people

Inhalants are sometimes used by young people to get a quick ‘high’.

In this article, we talk about why young people choose to use inhalants, the risks involved, and how to support someone who might be using them.

What are inhalants?

‘Inhalants’ are common household, industrial and medical products which a person purposely inhales (breathes in) to feel intoxicated or ‘high’.^1,2

There are many different types of inhalants, each with various effects on the body and mind. They include:

• aerosols, including deodorant, hairspray or spray paints
• volatile solvents, including paint removers, and cleaning products
• nitrites, including amyl nitrite (poppers, jungle juice)
• gases, including nitrous oxide (nangs, laughing gas).³

The most common type of inhalants used by Australians are amyl nitrite and other nitrites, and nitrous oxide.⁴

How do inhalants work?

When inhaled, fumes enter the bloodstream very quickly and the effects are almost instant.⁵

But the inhalant ‘high’ is short, so some people may keep using to maintain or extend this high.

Over time, people may find they need to inhale more to get the same effect because they can build up a tolerance.

What are the effects of inhalants?

Inhalants such as aerosols and volatile solvents have depressant effects. This means they slow down the messages travelling between the brain and the body. In small amounts, they can make you feel relaxed by slowing your breathing and lowering your blood pressure.

Nitrites (amyl) can have both stimulant and depressant effects, but they don’t belong to either drug class. They are vasodilators, meaning the vapours widen blood vessels, relax the muscles and lower blood pressure. When blood pressure drops suddenly, the body compensates by increasing the heart rate - sometimes described as a 'heart rush'.⁶

Nitrous oxide has dissociative effects. This means it causes people to feel separated or detached from their body or physical environment.

Inhalant use by young people

While people of all ages use inhalants, it’s more common among young people. Australians usually first try inhalants at around 21 years old.⁴

In a recent survey of high school students:

• one in five (20%) students had tried using inhalants at least once
• 7% used inhalants in the last month.⁷

Why do young people use inhalants?

Being curious is a normal part of growing up and often leads young people to experiment with alcohol and other drugs.

Like adults, young people use drugs for many reasons. They include to:

• feel good
• relax
• cope with negative feelings/distress
• overcome boredom and loneliness
• deal with physical pain
• enhance social experiences – such as partying
• increase confidence
• manage hunger.⁸

Because inhalants are readily available in retail stores, they’re easily accessible to young people and some may be more likely to experiment with these substances.

Young people, especially younger adolescents, tend to grow out of experimenting with inhalants.⁹ Regular use isn’t common – less than 2.5% of 12-17 year olds say they use inhalants 10 or more times in a year.¹⁰

But young people experiencing significant disadvantage, such as dealing with emotional trauma, financial struggles, family conflict, etc., may be more likely to become dependent or addicted to inhalant use.¹¹

What are the risks of inhalants?

Inhalants are among the most harmful and dangerous substances due to their long-term health effects, and risk of sudden death when using.

Each type of inhalant contains unique chemicals, which carry various risks and different toxic effects.¹²

One thing all inhalants have in common is that they displace oxygen in your lungs, reducing oxygen supply to your body.¹² Long-term reduction in oxygen levels from regular use can lead to organ dysfunction and damage.

People who regularly use inhalants may experience:

• breathing problems e.g., cough, chest pain
• blurred vision or vision loss
• cognitive (e.g. memory, attention, decision making) issues
• tremors and other movement problems (e.g. difficulty walking) that could lead to accidents/falls
• damage to other parts of the body including the brain, bones, nerves, kidney, liver, heart and immune system.^13-16

Overdose from inhalants

If you inhale a large amount or too frequently, you could overdose.

Call triple zero (000) and request an ambulance if someone is experiencing any of the following (emergency services are there to help and can provide instructions over the phone):

• nausea, vomiting
• irregular heartbeat
• chest pain
• hallucinations
• seizures
• unconsciousness or not responding.¹⁷

Sudden death

All inhalants carry the risk of death. Between 2000 and 2021 in Australia, about 28% of all deaths linked to inhalant use were young people aged 15 to 19.¹⁸

The two main causes are:

• Sudden sniffing death – occurs when someone experiences cardiac arrest or heart failure after using inhalants. The chemicals in inhalants can cause a spike in adrenaline which the heart is sensitive to, resulting in cardiac arrest. The risk of sudden sniffing death increases if the person is stressed or does intense exercise after inhaling.^5,12
• Suffocation can occur when the gas inhaled takes the place of oxygen in the lungs, either from using in enclosed spaces (without fresh air), or from dangerous practices such as placing a plastic bag over the head. Suffocation can also occur if a person sprays some substances directly into the mouth as it can freeze the throat and airways.^17,19

What should I do if I want to help someone who is using inhalants?

If you’re with someone or you come across someone who is using inhalants, it's important to approach the situation with care and caution.

Here are some steps you can take:

• assess your safety and theirs (e.g. are they near a main road, or on a roof?)
• stay calm and friendly
• talk to them using simple and clear language
• inhalants can catch fire, so open doors and windows to clear fumes
• remove the substance, if possible, but don’t struggle or argue with them
• there is no need to call the police unless there is a threat to safety.^17,20,21

What should I do after they stop using?

When a person stops using inhalants, they’ll start to recover within about 10-15 minutes.

You should:

• encourage them to rest
• ask how they are. They might feel hungover as the effects wear off and could experience anxiety, headaches or sore throat. If the inhalant was relieving pain, the pain may return.
• offer water and soft food – using inhalants reduces appetite so they may be hungry afterwards
• encourage them to change clothes, as their clothes may be flammable
• if they’re not responding or having problems breathing, call an ambulance immediately.^5,20

Where can I find more information and support?

If you're worried about a young person's use of inhalants and the potential harm they might be experiencing, a good idea is to seek professional advice. Below are some links to support services and resources to help you.

Support services:

• Youth Drugs and Alcohol Advice (YoDAA)
  1800 458 685
  Provides information and support for youth alcohol and other drug needs or anyone concerned about a young person.
• National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline 
  1800 250 015
  Free and confidential, 24/7 information, support and referrals. You’ll be automatically directed to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) in the state/territory you are calling from.
  In NSW, ADIS also has a live webchat service Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5.00pm, including public holidays.
• Headspace
  1800 650 890
  Supports young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drugs or work and study support. Alcohol and drug counsellors are available, and centres are located across the country - you can find a map on the Headspace website.
• Parentline – see website for the number in your state or territory.
• Family Drug Support
  1300 368 186
• Family Drug Help
  1300 660 068
• ADF DrugInfo email
  druginfo@adf.org.au

Resources to help you discuss AOD use with young people

• ADF’s Talking to Young People guide
• Positive Choices
• Better Health Channel
• Inhalant Use: A Guide for Parents and Families