Why is solvent abuse bad for your health

The neurotoxic effects of prolonged inhalant abuse include neurological syndromes that reflect damage to parts of the brain involved in controlling cognition, movement, vision, and hearing. Cognitive abnormalities can range from mild impairment to severe dementia. Inhalants also are highly toxic to other organs. Chronic exposure can produce significant damage to the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. Although some inhalant-induced damage to the nervous and other organ systems may be at least partially reversible when inhalant abuse is stopped, many syndromes caused by repeated or prolonged abuse are irreversible.

Abuse of inhalants during pregnancy also may place infants and children at increased risk of developmental harm. Animal studies designed to simulate human patterns of inhalant abuse suggest that prenatal exposure to toluene can result in reduced birth weights, occasional skeletal abnormalities, delayed neurobehavioral development, and altered regulation of metabolism and body composition in males, as well as food intake and weight gain in both sexes.

A number of case reports note abnormalities in newborns of mothers who chronically abuse solvents, and there is evidence of subsequent developmental impairment in some of these children. However, no well-controlled prospective study of the effects of prenatal exposure to inhalants in humans has been conducted, and it is not possible to link prenatal exposure to a particular chemical to a specific birth defect or developmental problem.

Finally, a survey of over 13, high school students has identified an association between disordered eating defined as a positive response to one or more of three questions about engaging in inappropriate behaviors for weight control during the past 30 days and inhalant use among both male and female students. The authors indicate that they do not have any conflicts of interest. Sources of funding: none reported. Smoking among teenagers decreases sharply and increase in ecstasy use slows.

Retrieved July 3, , from: www. Adolescent inhalant abuse: environments of use. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. Relationship of early inhalant use to substance use in college students. J Subst Abuse. Inhalant abuse and the abuse of other drugs. American Psychiatric Association. Drug Alcohol Depend. Meadows R, Verghese A. Medical complications of glue sniffing. South Med J. Balster RL. Neural basis of inhalant abuse. Childhood abuse and the use of inhalants: differences by degree of use.

Am J Public Health. Broussard LA. The role of the laboratory in detecting inhalant abuse. Clin Lab Sci. Inhalant abuse by adolescents. J Adolesc Health. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. Brouette T, Anton R. Am J Addict. Bass M. Sudden sniffing death. Inhalant abuse. Solvent abuse associated pulmonary abnormalities. Adv Alcohol Subst Abuse. Severe Goodpasture's syndrome after glue sniffing. Nephrol Dial Transplant. Br Med J.

Neurological and cognitive abnormalities associated with chronic petrol sniffing. Sudden cardiac death and substance abuse. A survey of attitudes among drug user treatment providers toward the treatment of inhalant users. Subst Use Misuse. This content is owned by the AAFP. A person viewing it online may make one printout of the material and may use that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference. This material may not otherwise be downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether now known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP.

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Sep 1, Issue. Recognition and Prevention of Inhalant Abuse. TABLE 2 Diagnostic Criteria for Inhalant Intoxication Recent intentional use or short-term, high-dose exposure to volatile inhalants excluding anesthetic gases and short-acting vasodilators Clinically significant maladaptive behavior or psychologic changes e.

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Navigate this Article. Lighter fluid, fuel, spray paint, hair spray, room freshener, deodorants. Gas grill fuel, spray paint, hair spray, room freshener, deodorants. Chlorinated hydrocarbons. Dry-cleaning agents, spot removers, degreasers, correction fluid. Some examples of permanent damage caused by Inhalant use include damage to the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, and brain, including permanent death of brain cells, resulting in memory loss and difficulty obtaining new knowledge.

These side effects are especially dangerous in individuals under the age of 25, whose brains are not yet fully developed. In some cases, the brain may never fully develop. This is referred to as Delayed Behavioral Development. Inhalant abuse usually creates effects that mirror those of alcohol intoxication.

Slurred speech, increased gregariousness, diminished motor skills, dizziness, and hallucinations are common. These effects are quite serious and can be life-threatening because of the way the chemicals in Inhalants can build up in the fatty tissue of major vital organs. Make a Call It may be hard to determine if an addiction to Inhalants exists. However, there are criteria established that are used to diagnose this addiction.

Two or more of the 11 symptoms of a substance use disorder as outlined by the DSM must be present in order to diagnose the condition. Someone addicted to Inhalants will continue to use them in spite of their damaging health effects. Without the proper motivation, people addicted to Inhalants may refuse to accept treatment. Staging an intervention could be a good way to persuade someone with an addiction that they need help. If you are concerned that your loved one will be unresponsive or deny their problem when approached, you may need to contact a professional to help.

Quitting Inhalants may come with physical and psychological withdrawal effects. These symptoms may last for up to five days, but many people do not experience any withdrawal at all. Psychological withdrawal is marked by irritability and the inability to feel normal without the substance, while physical withdrawal effects generally consist of headaches and fatigue.

Treatment for an addiction to Inhalants may include behavioral therapy, support groups, step programs, or inpatient rehabilitation programs. The type of treatment that is appropriate for each individual depends on the extent of their addiction and any underlying mental conditions.

Contact a treatment provider now to learn more. After graduation, he decided to pursue his passion of writing and editing. All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional. Theresa is also a Certified Professional Life Coach and volunteers at a local mental health facility helping individuals who struggle with homelessness and addiction.

Theresa is a well-rounded clinician with experience working as a Primary Addiction Counselor, Case Manager and Director of Utilization Review in various treatment centers for addiction and mental health in Florida, Minnesota, and Colorado. She also has experience with admissions, marketing, and outreach. As a proud recovering addict herself, Theresa understands first-hand the struggles of addiction. There is no limit to what Theresa is willing to do to make a difference in the field of Addiction!

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