Although inhalant addiction is a less common form of the disease of addiction, it still does exist throughout the United States and beyond, requiring assistance from an inhalant addiction treatment program to heal from. These poisonous gases are designed for industrial work and can lead to severe physical and mental health problems. Inhalants come in various forms, such as aerosols, gases, solvents, and nitrates. While inhalants are not recognized as primary sources of addiction, the drug still causes problems in our communities for children and young adults. Inhalants can be commonly used household items that are used to achieve an intoxicated state. Use in the general population is technically low, but the availability of the drugs at local stores makes them even more dangerous. The most common inhalant is amyl nitrite and fluorinated hydrocarbons, better known as “poppers” or “whippets.”

At Harmony Hills, we understand that substance abuse has severe physical and mental consequences. Our inhalant addiction treatment program is designed to help individuals address all aspects of addiction, heal, and recover.

What Are Inhalants and How Are They Misused?

When we utter the word “inhalant,” it can have various meanings. In the case of inhalant addiction, we are talking about inhaling a solvent or other material that produces vapors that someone inhales for a buzz. They are found in many household products that serve a legitimate purpose, but unfortunately, can still be abused.

Inhalants produce intense mind-altering effects that cause terrible side effects. Some of these include apathy, belligerence, impaired functions, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. It creates a very intense high, which causes walking to become weakened and even dangerous. There are many ways inhalants affect the human body, but the leading cause of death comes from trauma immediately after being consumed. Reports show that the ice-cold gases freeze your lungs, but the leading cause of death results from falls due to the user losing consciousness. Other common ways inhalants cause death include Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome, which can cause death by:

• Asphyxiation
• Suffocation
• Convulsions or seizures
• Coma
• Choking
• Fatal injury

Brain damage has also been linked to long-term use, and someone can reduce damage to their body by immediately seeking help.

Inhalant Withdrawal Symptoms

The effects of an inhalant in your body can vary depending on the specific type of inhalant you’ve been using. Because inhalants aren’t likely to be chemically addictive, sometimes they don’t cause any significant symptoms after you quit. Psychological dependence on a chemical might cause anxiety or irritability when you stop using. However, it is possible to develop a tolerance to certain inhalants with frequent use, and in some cases, people will experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if they stop using abruptly.

In cases where inhalants cause withdrawal symptoms, they are often compared to alcohol or other depressants’ withdrawal symptoms. However, withdrawal symptoms are unlikely to cause seizures or delirium tremens like alcohol can. Symptoms of an inhalant withdrawal can include: It’s recommended that inhalant withdrawal be taken seriously and that you go through it in a controlled setting. If you believe that you might experience withdrawal symptoms, speak to a doctor as soon as possible.

Even though withdrawal symptoms are rare and aren’t likely to be as dangerous as the withdrawal symptoms of alcohol or benzodiazepines, they could cause uncomfortable and disturbing symptoms. Some common withdrawal symptoms include:

• Hallucinations and delusions
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Excessive or uncontrolled sweating
• Irregular heartbeat
• Spikes in blood pressure

The safest way to go through inhalant withdrawal is to go through a medical detox program with 24-hour monitoring.

How an Inhalant Addiction Treatment Program Can Help

Addiction is a disease with no cure, but treating the issue allows a person to regain control of their lives after substance abuse. Treatment will establish tools and guidelines that will enable the person to manage triggers in their daily lives. Most treatment centers will not specialize in inhalant abuse, but a select few like Harmony Hills are equipped to handle the complex issues of inhalant addiction.

Users often have a co-occurring disorder. This is when substance use disorder or addiction is present alongside a mental health issue. Without dual diagnosis to address both conditions, individuals will likely relapse. Our inhalant addiction treatment program offers individuals several therapeutic options such as:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• EMDR Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Individual Therapy
• Relapse Prevention Therapy
• Trauma Therapy

Before entering a treatment facility, the person must go through a thorough exam to discuss any potential complications to their body. It may include central nervous system damage, lead poisoning, kidney and liver irregularity, nutritional problems, and heart and lung distress. A person going through inhalant treatment must be placed in a residential treatment facility to manage their symptoms. They will work directly with a counselor to initiate a treatment plan.

Find the Addiction Treatment You Need at Harmony Hills

Inhalants represent a hazardous form of drug use. Different chemicals can cause serious side effects, some of which can be deadly. Addiction is a chronic condition that often gets worse if it’s ignored. Though inhalants aren’t normally chemically addictive, each use is dangerous, and substance use disorders often lead to other drugs.

Addressing a substance use problem as early as possible may mean avoiding some of the most unpleasant consequences of drug abuse, like long-term health problems. Learn more about inhalant addiction today by calling Harmony Hills at 855.494.0357 to take your first steps toward lasting freedom from active addiction.