1. Inhalant Abuse
8th Grade Wellness

2. What are Inhalants? Inhalants are dangerous chemical substances that
are inhaled for the purpose of altering one’s perception of the environment, or ‘getting high’.
Inhalants include many common household items
Inhalants are generally inexpensive and easy to obtain.
Bullet Point 2: Common household items that are safe when used for their intended purpose, but may become dangerous when inhaled.

3. Table Partner Activity
Discuss and list some common inhalants that are most often abused.
Think to the video we watched about inhalants to get some ideas.

4. Types of Inhalants Liquids Aerosols Gases Nitrites Leather Cleaner
Paint thinner
Paint Remover
Dry-Cleaning Fluids
Gasoline
Glues
Correction Fluids,
Felt-Tip Markers
Spray Paints
Deodorant
Hair Sprays
Vegetable Oil Sprays
Fabric Protector Spray
Chloroform
Nitrous Oxide
Whipped Cream Cans Butane Lighters
Propane Tanks
Refrigerants
Leather Cleaner
Room Deodorizer
Food Preservatives
Liquids
Aerosols
Gases
Nitrites

5. A 2008 survey found that 14. 9% of 8th graders, 12
A 2008 survey found that 14.9% of 8th graders, 12.3% of 10th graders and 9.5% of 12th graders had abused inhalants at least once in the previous year.
75% of inhalant abusers were under 18 when they first started using inhalants
Males and females are equally likely to abuse inhalants.
Teenagers who abuse inhalants tend to come from higher income families and are often perceived as good kids.

6. Street Names for Inhalant Abuse
Air Blast Ames Amys Aroma of Men Huff Boppers Bullet Bolt Buzz Bomb
Discorama Hardware Hippie Crack
Hiagra in a Bottle Highball Moon Gas
Thrust Snappers
Heart-on Medusa
Spray Pearls
Whiteout Poppers Snotballs Shoot the Breeze Whippets
Texas Shoe Shine Toilet Water
Satan’s Secret Poor Man’s Pot Quicksilver Rush Snappers Laughing Gas Locker Room
Street Names for Inhalant Abuse

7. How are Inhalants Used?
Bagging Inhaling fumes from a substance placed inside of a bag
Huffing Inhaling substances soaked into a rag
Balloons Inhaling a substances placed inside of a balloon
Sniffing/Snorting Inhaling fumes from a container
Spraying Spraying inhalant directly into the nose/mouth

8. Table Partner Activity
Discuss and list some of the short-term responses to inhalant use.
Think to the video we watched about inhalants to get some ideas.

9. Slight Stimulation/Euphoria
Short-Term Response
to Inhalant Use
Slight Stimulation/Euphoria
Drowsiness
Loss of Consciousness
Death
Hallucinations
Lowered Inhibitions
Blurry Vision 9

10. Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome
Inhalants may cause the heart to become highly sensitive to the effects of adrenaline is heart failure resulting from an irregular heartbeat, usually caused by stress or strenuous activity after using inhalants.
Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome
Death can result any time a person uses inhalants; even the first time.
SSDS
Asphyxiation
Inhaled chemicals replace oxygen in the bloodstream which may result in death.

11. The Impact of Inhalant Abuse On the Body11

12. The Truth About Inhalants
The Truth About Inhalants
Please click on this link to open the video.

13. Signs of Inhalant Abuse
Slurred Speech
Nausea/Loss of Appetite
Irritability
Paint or Other Unusual Stains on Face or Clothing
Inattentiveness
Red Eyes, Runny Nose
Depression
Lack of Coordination
Anxiety
Restlessness
Acting Drunk or Disoriented
Empty Chemical Containers in Trash 13

14. TREATMENT
Medical Intervention
Detailed history of substances abused.
Identification and treatment of medical problems that resulted from inhalant abuse.
Psychotherapy
Inhalant abusers may have psychological conditions, such as low self-esteem and depression, which have not been properly treated in the past.
It is important to identify mental health needs and develop a therapy plan to address the underlying problems that may have led to inhalant abuse. Relapse
Education on the dangers of inhalant abuse
Enlist family support .
Encouragement to form new friendships and avoidance of peers who abuse inhalants.
Treatment approaches for inhalant abusers must be tailored to meet their unique needs. A good treatment program for anyone with an inhalant abuse problem includes:

15. For More Information: For Support:
For Support:

16. References: