“Glue drug” is a common term referring to inhalant abuse, involving the intentional inhalation of volatile substances for rapid intoxication. These substances are found in many ordinary household and commercial products, making them easily accessible. While the high is quick, risks are severe, leading to significant health consequences and potential death.
Understanding Inhalant Abuse
Inhalants are chemical vapors or gases that produce mind-altering effects when breathed in. These substances are broadly categorized into volatile solvents, aerosols, gases, and nitrites. Volatile solvents are evaporating liquids found in products like paint thinners, gasoline, correction fluid, and various glues.
Aerosols include spray paints, hairsprays, deodorants, and cooking sprays, containing propellants and solvents. Gases encompass medical anesthetics such as nitrous oxide, as well as those found in commercial items like butane lighters and propane tanks. Nitrites, sometimes called “poppers,” are different from other inhalants because they primarily dilate blood vessels and relax muscles rather than directly affecting the central nervous system.
Inhalants are abused through various methods. “Sniffing” or “snorting” involves inhaling fumes directly from an open container. “Huffing” means soaking a rag in the substance and pressing it to the mouth or nose.
“Bagging” involves spraying or depositing the substance inside a plastic or paper bag and then inhaling the fumes. “Dusting” refers to spraying aerosols directly into the nose or mouth. Effects are immediate but brief, often lasting only minutes, leading to repeated inhalation to prolong the high.
The Dangers of Inhalant Use
The immediate effects of inhalant use include a rapid, brief high, dizziness, euphoria, slurred speech, hallucinations, and a loss of coordination. Other effects include disorientation, drowsiness, headaches, and a feeling of invincibility. These effects stem from chemicals quickly reaching the brain and slowing central nervous system activity, similar to anesthetics.
A serious immediate risk is “Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome” (SSDS), which can occur even with a single use. SSDS is most commonly caused by heart failure, where inhalant chemicals sensitize the heart to adrenaline, leading to irregular and rapid heart rhythms that can result in cardiac arrest. This can occur if a person is startled or engages in physical activity while intoxicated. Other causes of death include asphyxiation, where inhaled chemicals displace oxygen in the lungs, suffocation from plastic bag use, or choking on vomit due to decreased consciousness.
Long-term inhalant abuse can cause severe, lasting damage across multiple organ systems. The brain is highly vulnerable, with chronic use leading to cognitive impairment, memory loss, and neurological damage, sometimes resembling early-onset dementia. Damage can affect areas of the brain controlling thinking, movement, vision, and hearing.
The heart can suffer from arrhythmias and cardiomyopathy, while the lungs may experience irritation and damage. The liver and kidneys are also susceptible to harm from inhalant toxins. Additionally, peripheral nervous system damage can manifest as muscle weakness and tremors.
Recognizing Inhalant Abuse and Finding Support
Identifying inhalant abuse can be challenging due to the short-lived effects. Physical indicators include a chemical odor on breath or clothing, paint or stains on the face or hands, and sores around the mouth. Behavioral changes may involve slurred speech, disorientation, irritability, withdrawal from social activities, and a decline in school performance. Other symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, red or runny eyes and nose, and hidden containers of abused products like aerosol cans or solvent-soaked rags.
Prompt intervention is beneficial. While quitting inhalants may lead to some physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, and cravings, severe withdrawal is uncommon. Treatment approaches for inhalant abuse are similar to those for other substance use disorders and often involve professional medical evaluation and psychological support.
Counseling, including individual and family therapy, helps individuals recognize triggers and develop coping mechanisms. Support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous, can provide a community for recovery. Specialized substance abuse treatment programs, including inpatient care, offer comprehensive support for substance abuse and any co-occurring mental health conditions.