Treatment for Inhalant Abuse

Inhalants are substances that people abuse by inhaling them or breathing them in deeply. There are many other drugs that can be inhaled, but the term inhalant refers to those substances that are only abused by inhaling, not by any other method. Many inhalants that people abuse are common household items, like gas, aerosol sprays, glues, and cleaning solvents.

None of these products are inherently drugs; they are not illegal substances. But, they can be abused by a person to get high, in which case they are considered drugs in the inhalant category. Because access to inhalants is fairly easy, this is a type of drug favored by young people. To get high from an inhalant, a person sniffs or inhales the vapors, often using something like a paper bag to concentrate them.

Abusing inhalants to get high is risky. It causes poor coordination and dizziness, so accidents that can cause a lot of harm are possible. Inhalants may also cause a sense of euphoria, which is often why people abuse them, but over time they can cause organ damage, hearing loss, brain damage, and nerve damage. In young people, inhalant use can even delay brain and behavioral development.

Inhalant Abuse Facts and Statistics

Inhalant abuse is risky, especially for the young people who are most likely to engage in this activity. Not only are there serious health risks, it can lead to inhalant use disorder, a condition listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

• Over 22 million Americans over the age of 12 have abused an inhalant. More than 750,000 people try an inhalant for the first time every year in the U.S.
• Inhalants are unique among drug types in that their use is more prevalent in young teens and adolescents and use decreases as teens get older.
• According to the Monitoring the Future survey from 2017, inhalant abuse among 10th and 12th graders continues to decline, while it increased for 8th graders from 2016.
• Common household inhalants abused by young people include nail polish remover, glue, rubber cement, spray paint, shoe polish, gasoline, markers, cleaners, deodorant, lighter fluid, correction fluid, cooking spray, and whipped cream aerosols.

Inhalant abuse, whether or not it can be diagnosed as an inhalant use disorder, is a behavior that is risky and harmful. It has long-term consequences, and for those who find they can’t stop using inhalants, seeking professional treatment is important. As with other types of substance use disorders, inhalant abuse can be treated with behavioral therapies, medical treatment as needed, a holistic approach to treating all of a client’s needs, and group and family support.

Making Private Detox Safer

For most drugs of abuse, detox triggers uncomfortable, painful withdrawal symptoms. The risks of going through withdrawal include relapse in response to these symptoms. To safely detox, you need 24-hour supervision with medical care. Not only will this protect you if more serious side effects arise, but the right care helps you go through this difficult process more comfortably. With symptoms under control, you’ll be ready to begin your personalized treatment plan.

Individualized Treatment

Effective treatment for inhalant abuse takes into account each individual’s unique needs, limitations, and strengths. At Alta Mira, you will go through a thorough evaluation to determine the foundation for a specialized treatment plan. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment here. Every resident benefits from therapies and other approaches that best meet their needs.

Luxury inhalant abuse treatment at Alta Mira includes a variety of strategies. You’ll receive individual behavioral therapy, group therapy, and support, and have the option to bring in your family for sessions. Experienced therapists will help you dig deeper to address all the issues in your life that have contributed to addiction: past traumas, relationship challenges, grief and loss, spirituality, and more.

Relapse Prevention

The best treatment for inhalant abuse is ongoing. Relapse is a very real possibility, no matter how hard you work while a resident at Alta Mira. To minimize the risk of relapse and to ensure long-term wellness, we offer continuing care that doesn’t stop when you walk out the residence doors.

Our care team will coordinate your continuing treatment or therapy sessions and help develop a plan for your future. You can also participate in free support group meetings, regular check-ins, and quarterly renewals through our amazing alumni group. Consider substance use disorder to be a chronic illness, and it’s easier to understand how important these ongoing sessions are to long-term recovery.

Inhalant intoxication causes lack of coordination, slurred speech, nausea, dizziness, and an elevated mood. A person high on inhalants may seem drunk, but there are also some specific signs of inhalant abuse:

• A chemical smell on clothing or breath
• Hidden inhalants, rags, paper bags, and similar paraphernalia
• Paint or chemical stains on skin
• Loss of appetite
• A rash around the mouth
• Low mood, including depression or irritability

Long-term abuse of inhalants can cause serious damage and resulting symptoms. These may include loss of hearing, tremors, loss of control of body movements, loss of vision, labored breathing, anemia or leukemia from damage to bone marrow, and liver damage and hepatitis.

Chronic abuse can even cause a substance use disorder. Addiction and mental health specialists recognize inhalant use disorder, which can be diagnosed using the criteria outlined for other substance use disorders. Those include things like using inhalants more than intended, trying to stop and failing, craving inhalants, using them in spite of problems it causes, avoiding activities and responsibilities to continue using, and experiencing tolerance and withdrawal.

There are no real causes for inhalant abuse that can be pinpointed, but there are risk factors that lead people to experiment with and abuse drugs, including inhalants. Risk factors for young people, who use inhalants more than other age groups, include having easy access to inhalants, having friends of peers who abuse inhalants, having a mental illness, having a family history of drug abuse, experiencing trauma, and abusing other substances.

Inhalant abuse has been found to be associated with abuse of other substances and suicidal thoughts and behaviors, as well as poor social adjustment and low self-esteem. There is also an association between eating disorders and inhalant abuse, in both young women and men. Any type of substance abuse, including inhalant abuse, is often associated with having a mental illness. These two issues commonly co-occur because they have risk factors in common and also because there are complicated causes and effects.

A young person who is struggling with a mental illness, like depression or bipolar disorder, may turn to substances, including inhalants, to try to get relief. This is particularly common in those who have untreated mental illnesses. The abuse of inhalants can also trigger mental health symptoms, make them worse, or contribute to the onset of a mental illness that a person was already predisposed to develop. Because there is such a close relationship between inhalant abuse and mental illnesses, it is crucial to diagnose, treat, and manage any co-occurring disorders a person has.

The first step in managing inhalant use disorder is to detox, which can trigger withdrawal and a relapse in use. Addiction to inhalants is not as common as other substances, so withdrawal is not as well studied or documented. Some of the symptoms of withdrawing from inhalants that have been reported include sweating, nausea, muscle tics, appetite loss and anorexia, difficulty sleeping, and mood swings.

There is no specific medical treatment for managing withdrawal from inhalants other than supervision and any supportive care that is needed. It is important to only attempt detox when supervised because the withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable. As with any drug, these symptoms are often what leads a person to relapse.

We believe individuals are best able to focus on their recovery when immersed in a secure, serene, healing setting. That’s why we provide comfortable surroundings while maintaining the most advanced and sophisticated rehab program for inhalant abuse in Northern California. Clients can expect compassionate care from our best-in-class inhalant addiction specialists.

Seeking a helping hand to guide you through these difficult times is not an easy decision. Our caring and experienced team at Alta Mira can help guide you through the next steps toward achieving lasting recovery.

Don’t let inhalants control your life. To begin your life-changing transformation, contact us today.