ADVISORY

Substance Abuse Treatment 

Breaking News for the Treatment Field 

March 2003 

Volume 3 

ssue 1 

Inhalants

What are inhalants? 

Inhalants are breathable chemical vapors or gases 

that produce psychoactive (mind-altering) effects 

when abused or misused. These include volatile 

organic solvents, fuel gases, nitrites, and anesthetic 

gases. They do not include inhaled medicinal drugs 

that are taken as prescribed. Once commonly 

referred to as “glue sniffing,” inhalant abuse now 

includes a broad range of volatile solvents and gas 

products (e.g., model airplane glue, paint thinner, 

gasoline, and nail polish remover), aerosols (e.g., 

nonstick cooking spray and hair spray), anesthetics 

(e.g., nitrous oxide or “laughing gas” and ether), and 

nitrites (e.g., amyl, butyl, and isobutyl nitrites, often 

marketed as “poppers” or room odorizers). (Other 

powdered drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, and 

methamphetamine, can be inhaled but are not considered inhalants.) Although the chemicals involved 

and their effects vary, the route of administration is 

the common factor. 

What are the most common 

modes of administration? 

Inhalants are abused either by “sniffing” through the 

nose or inhaling fumes through the open mouth 

(“huffing”) much like a smoker inhales cigarette 

smoke. Usually the open tube of glue, nail polish, or 

marker is placed close to the nose and the fumes are 

inhaled. People who abuse inhalants may also spray 

the substance into a plastic or paper bag and huff that 

way (“bagging”) or even place the bag over the entire 

head. Often a product will be poured or sprayed on a 

piece of cloth, a rag, a towel, or a shirt sleeve or into a 

soda can and inhaled in that manner. Another method 

is to paint the fingernails with a product such as correction fluid and inhale the substance from the nails. 

Sometimes an aerosol substance is sprayed directly 

into the mouth. Substances also can be placed into 

alternative containers (e.g., balloon filled with nitrous 

oxide) or heated and then inhaled (Synergies 2002). 

Who is likely to abuse 

inhalants? 

Contrary to popular perception, people who abuse 

inhalants are found throughout the population and no 

one group can be categorized as “inhalant abusers.” In 

2001, more than 18.2 million Americans reported ever 

having used an inhalant, and 141,000 were estimated 

to need treatment because they were dependent on or 

abused inhalants. According to the 2001 National 

Household Survey on Drug Abuse (SAMHSA 

2002d), 8.6 percent of youth between 12 and 17 had 

used inhalants some time in their lives. The 

Household Survey reported that 13.4 percent of young 

adults ages 18–25 had used inhalants and 7.1 percent 

of persons 26 and older. Lifetime prevalence by gender and race/ethnicity was 8.9% for white males, 

9.8% for white females, 8.3% for Hispanic males, 

7.4% for Hispanic females, 5.0% for black males, and 

6.8% for black females (SAMHSA 2002a). 

The categories of inhalants most frequently reported 

by youth were glue or toluene (3.6%) and gasoline 

or lighter fluid (3.0%). Among young adults, the 

most popular was nitrous oxide or “whippets” 

(9.3%) and for adults it was nitrous oxide or “whippets” (3.4%) and amyl nitrite, “poppers,” Locker 

Room Odorizers, or “Rush” (3.4%) (SAMHSA 

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Very few people who abuse inhalants are treated in facilities that receive funds from State alcohol and drug agencies. In 2000, only 1,251 persons (0.1% of all admissions) 

entered treatment with a primary diagnosis of inhalant 

dependency. Of these inhalant clients, 72.4% were male, 

65.9% were white, 16.6% were Hispanic, and 10.3% were 

American Indian or Alaska Native; 44% were under age 

18. Some 28% reported daily use of inhalants, 26% had 

used inhalants by age 12, and another 30% had used by 

age 14; 61% had used other drugs as well as inhalants 

(SAMHSA 2002e). 

People who abuse inhalants also seek care in emergency 

rooms, according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network 

(DAWN), which is a national sample of hospitals with 24­

hour emergency departments. In 2001, 676 individuals 

who mentioned inhalants as a drug of abuse were seen in 

the DAWN sample, but in the first half of 2002 alone, 559 

had been seen. Of the 2001 inhalant patients, 10% were 17 

or younger, 33% were 18–25, 10% were 26–34, and 47% 

were 35 or older (SAMHSA 2002b). 

Use of inhalants can result in death. Bowen et al. (1999) 

reported on 39 deaths in Virginia between 1987 and 1996 

from acute voluntary exposure to inhalants. Median age 

was 19 years; 46% of the cases involved butane or 

propane. Maxwell (2001) reported 144 deaths in Texas 

between 1988 and 1998 in which use or abuse of inhalants 

was mentioned on the death certificates. Median age was 

24, and 35% of the cases involved chlorofluorocarbons or 

Freon®. Mortality data reported to DAWN show deaths 

that were due to or involved inhalants: Birmingham (1), 

Chicago (6), Dallas (1), Louisville (1), Milwaukee (2), 

New Orleans (1), Oklahoma City (7), Philadelphia (2), and 

San Diego (2) (SAMHSA 2002c). 

Why are inhalants popular? 

Most inhalants are readily available, inexpensive or free, 

and usually legal to purchase and possess. The high is 

achieved instantly and lasts only about 5–15 minutes. 

(Pandina and Hendren 1999). Because products are easy to 

conceal and are useful everyday products (e.g., permanent 

markers, correction fluid) found in homes, offices, and 

schools, it is difficult to prevent access to them. Further, 

because abusable products are so common, many youth do 

not perceive them as harmful and do not understand the 

consequences of using them (Johnston et al. 2002). 

What Types of Products 

Can Be Abused?
 

General Supplies—cements and glues; correction fluid; 

magic markers; solvent-based dry erase markers 

Cleaning Supplies—any product in an aerosol can; 

aerosol air fresheners and deodorizers; computer 

air duster 

Wood Shop—paints; varnishes; stains; paint thinner; 

contact cement 

Art Supplies—rubber cement; printing inks; spray 

paints and clear finishes 

Auto—degreasers; spray lubricants; “Fix-a-Flat” type 

products; solvents; Freon®; brake fluid; gasoline; 

lacquers; thinners 

Health and Beauty—nail polish and nail polish 

remover; hair spray; deodorants 

Cooking Supplies—cooking spray; whipping cream in 

aerosol cans; whipping cream cartridges (whippets) ■ 

Source: Synergies 2002, Bureau of Substance Abuse 

Services, Massachusetts Department of Public Health 

What do inhalants do? 

Inhalants provide an instant “rush” and, like alcohol, cause 

euphoria followed by central nervous system depression 

(Pandina and Hendren 1999). Deep breathing of the toxic 

vapors may result in losing touch with one’s surroundings, 

a loss of self-control, violent behavior, nausea, unconsciousness, giddiness, loss of inhibition, loss of appetite, 

and, at higher dosages, hallucinations (Kurtzman et al. 

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2001; Pandina and Hendren 1999). Inhalants can cause loss 

of motor skills, slurred speech, heart palpitations, seizures, 

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, among 

other things (Kurtzman et al. 2001). Signs of inhalant 

abuse include “huffer’s rash” or drying and redness around 

the mouth and nose; spots or sores around the mouth; red 

or runny eyes or nose; paint or stains on body or clothing; 

chemical breath odor; drunk, dazed, or dizzy appearance; 

sneezing, coughing, wheezing, and excess salivation; an 

unexplained collection of abusable products; nausea and 

loss of appetite; and anxiety, excitability, and irritability 

(Synergies 2002). 

The debilitating and lethal effects of inhalants can occur 

even with first use. Sudden sniffing death syndrome usually is caused by the irregular heart rate induced by 

inhalants; other cardiac effects are hypotension (low blood 

pressure), tachycardia (rapid heart beat), and bradycardia 

(slow heart beat). Other significant effects may include 

coma, seizures, brain damage, and lead poisoning 

(Kurtzman et al. 2001). 

Additional inhalant dangers are suffocation (e.g., from bagging), fire-related injuries from inhalant combustion (especially if the inhalant is heated or a cigarette is lit in a closed area 

where the inhalant is being abused), and accidents related to 

impaired judgment, lack of motor skills, or high-risk behavior. 

What are the long-term effects of 

inhalant abuse? 

Solvents are easily absorbed from the blood into lipid-rich 

tissues (i.e., fatty tissues) (Kurtzman et al. 2001). Chronic 

inhalant abuse significantly damages the heart, lungs, kidney, liver, and peripheral nerves (Pandina and Hendren 

1999); it can cause heart failure and complete hepatic and 

renal failure (Kurtzman et al. 2001). 

Continued, chronic inhalant abuse has been associated with 

neurological damage (Rosenberg et al. 1988a, 1988b). 

People who abuse inhalants chronically have demonstrated 

a range of mental dysfunction, from mild cognitive impairment (e.g., lack of concentration or attention, poor memory, 

and poor learning skills) to severe dementia (National 

Institute on Drug Abuse 2000). However, studies often have 

not been able to answer whether or to what extent neurological dysfunction existed before inhalant abuse (Pandina and 

Hendren 1999). It is not clear whether the neurological 

effects of inhalant abuse are permanent or transitory 

(Jumper-Thurman and Beauvais 1992; Ron 1986). 

Emotional problems, including violent behavior, and mental 

disorders, particularly antisocial personality disorders and 

depression, have been associated with inhalant abuse, but 

“there is no plausible evidence at this time that inhalant 

abuse actually...causes psychiatric conditions in any direct 

way” (Compton et al. 1994). 

Are inhalants addictive? Do they 

lead to further drug abuse? 

Studies have reported that people who abuse inhalants can 

build up tolerance (Ron 1986), which requires them to 

increase their dosages to achieve the intoxication effect. 

They also can develop cravings for inhalants (Keriotis and 

Upadhyaya 2000). Withdrawal symptoms—sleep disturbance, nausea, tremors, and irritability, all lasting several 

days—have been described (Brouette and Anton 2001). 

Early abuse of inhalants has been related to later use of 

illicit drugs, particularly heroin (Bennett et al. 2000; 

Johnson et al. 1995; Schutz et al. 1994). It is not clear, 

however, that inhalants are a “gateway” drug; rather, 

inhalant abuse may be a marker for risk of other drug use 

(Compton et al. 1994; Dinwiddie 1994). 

How can people who abuse 

inhalants be treated? 

As a group, people who abuse inhalants differ from people 

who abuse other drugs. They often have multiple problems, 

such as polydrug abuse, a chaotic family life, low selfesteem, poor academic records, personality disorders, and 

poor cognitive function, and they may present with neurological deficiencies. Thus, treatment is more complicated 

and requires more resources than for people who abuse other 

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drugs. Many drug and alcohol abuse treatment programs do 

not accept people who abuse inhalants, and those that do 

consider treatment ineffective for such clients (Dinwiddie 

1994; Malesevich and Jadin 1995). There are few references 

to evidence-based treatment protocols in the literature 

(National Inhalants Prevention Coalition 1997; Reidel et al. 

1995). However, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Services Administration (SAMHSA), through its Center for 

Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) and Center for 

Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), has funded an 

Inhalant Resource Center that will provide resource guides 

and make recommendations for additional materials concerning the treatment of people who abuse inhalants. 

Taking into account problems unique to people who abuse 

inhalants, a number of treatment approaches have been 

suggested. Because people who abuse inhalants typically 

consume a variety of inhalants, a detailed history and thorough physical examination is especially important to identify specific substances abused and their physical effects, 

followed by medical treatment of physical conditions. 

Inhalants can stay in the body for weeks; therefore detoxification periods could extend for a month (JumperThurman et al. 1995). Abusers often are not ready to begin 

therapy until detoxification is complete, and they often 

require therapy for a long duration (possibly as long as 2 

years) (Jumper-Thurman and Beauvais 1992). Because 

people who abuse inhalants tend to have a short attention 

span and difficulty with complex thinking, initial therapy 

sessions should be short (e.g., 15–20 minutes) (JumperThurman and Beauvais 1992). 

Treatment programs are encouraged to scan their premises 

for products that clients could inhale to get high while in 

treatment. A nonsolvent, nonaerosol-based product should 

be substituted when possible; if there is no substitute, use 

of these products should be closely monitored by staff. 

Family involvement in treatment is especially important 

for young people. Intervention to improve parenting or 

bonding skills or treatment of parental substance abuse 

may be needed (Jumper-Thurman and Beauvais 1992; 

Brouette and Anton 2001). Because inhalant abuse is often 

a group activity, especially among youth, abusers need to 

become part of new peer groups that do not abuse 

inhalants or other drugs (Jumper-Thurman and Beauvais 

1992). However, people who abuse inhalants are looked 

down on by people who abuse other drugs, so group therapy should be introduced into treatment gradually 

(Malesevich and Jadin 1995). 

Treatment plans should take into account that relapse is 

common among people who abuse inhalants (Reidel et al. 

1995). It may be helpful to introduce abusers to safe and 

healthy forms of recreation. Aftercare and followup are particularly important for this group of abusers (JumperThurman and Beauvais 1992; Texas Commission on 

Alcohol and Drug Abuse 1997) and may involve multiple 

community resources (schools, faith-based organizations, 

recreation programs, community centers, etc.). Finally, people who abuse inhalants often need help developing basic 

life skills (e.g., in hygiene, nutrition, school attendance, and 

job skills) (Jumper-Thurman and Beauvais 1992). 

Education about the effects and dangers of inhalants may 

help people abstain from abusing inhalants. Education is a 

key to primary prevention of inhalant abuse. A study that 

found abuse among Native Americans decreasing since the 

mid-1990s attributed the change to targeted prevention 

efforts in that population (Beauvais et al. 2002). Because 

inhalant abuse starts early, early education (e.g., in elementary school) is needed (Dinwiddie 1994; Kurtzman et al. 

2001). However, raising awareness by describing all the 

potential inhalants that are subject to abuse may have the 

unintended effect of increasing abuse among adolescents 

(Beauvais et al. 2002). ■ 

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What Constitutes Effective Treatment of People Who Abuse Inhalants? 

People who abuse inhalants are thought to be an easily 

overlooked and undertreated population. In many ways, 

they are like other people who are chemically dependent, 

but they also have unique treatment needs. Currently, 

treatment protocols are based on limited experience and 

research, primarily with disadvantaged Native American 

and Hispanic populations in Southwestern and 

Midwestern United States. 

The checklist below includes questions you should 

consider as you review treatment protocols or guide 

program development. 

❑ Do you provide information about inhalant abuse to 

referral sources? Do referral sources understand the 

dangers of inhalant abuse and the need for 

intervention? People who abuse inhalants are a hidden 

population. They rarely seek treatment, and inhalant 

abuse is often undetected because it “is not on the 

radar screen.” 

❑ Do you rigorously assess for inhalant abuse? Do you 

know what inhalants are abused and how they are 

abused? Do you know patterns of abuse so that you 

can converse with clients who may be reluctant and 

embarrassed to discuss their abuse? Do you ask clients 

why they are attracted to inhalants (very quick acting, 

short duration, free or low cost, easy availability, not 

prosecutable, hard to test for, like the high, often 

overlooked as a drug)? 

❑ Does your program allow for adequate detoxification? 

Depending on type of product abused and length of 

abuse, detoxification from the acute effects of solvents 

and gases may last for 2 to 6 weeks. During this time, 

the program may need to make adjustments. 

❑ Do you thoroughly assess for cognitive functioning, 

neurological damage, and physical effects? Levels of 

physical and cognitive dysfunction vary greatly, but 

some people who abuse inhalants show high levels 

of deterioration. Physical damage needs to be assessed 

early, but cognitive and neurological evaluations are 

often postponed until after detoxification. In some 

treatment populations, a high percentage of people 

who abuse inhalants have experienced physical and 

sexual abuse. 

❑ Does treatment include specific inhalant-focused 

components? Do you provide inhalant abuse 

prevention education? Many people in treatment are 

not aware of the toxicity and lethality of inhalants; 

they are, after all, toxins, poisons, pollutants, and fire 

hazards. Do you address life-skills issues? Some 

people start abusing inhalants as early as elementary 

school; along with the neurological damage, early 

abuse can result in poorly developed life and academic 

skills. Do you take into account cognitive deficits by 

using brief (20-minute) and concrete interventions? 

❑ Does family involvement include attending education 

sessions about inhalants, removing inhalants from the 

home, and providing extra support and supervision 

that clients may need? Treatment programs need to 

thoroughly assess the stability, structure, and dynamics 

of the family. If family support is limited, programs 

should consider alternatives such as foster care. 

❑ Are inhalants accessible in your treatment program? 

Do you have a policy to secure dry erase markers, nail 

polish and remover, correction fluid, solvent-based 

glues, and aerosol products (such as deodorants, hair 

spray, shaving cream, cleaning products, and canned 

whipped cream) in your program? 

❑ Are staff members knowledgeable about inhalant 

abuse? Do they have realistic expectations for 

recovery? To effectively treat inhalant abuse, 

counselors need to understand the unique aspects of 

the problem, including the slow rate of recovery. 

❑ Does your aftercare planning take into account the 

special problems of inhalant abuse? These include easy 

availability of inhalants, residual cognitive impairment, 

and poor social functioning. Has a school-based 

advocate or counselor been included in the plan? ■ 

Sources: Jumper-Thurman and Beauvais 1992; Jumper-Thurman et 

al. 1995; Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, 1997. The 

checklist was developed by Howard C. Wolfe, CASPAR Youth 

Services, 661 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 14, Arlington, MA 02476; 

hwolfe@wolfe411.org; 781-643-7272. For more information, visit the 

Massachusetts Inhalant Abuse Task Force Web site at 

www.state.ma.us/dph/inhalant. 

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References 

Beauvais, F.; Wayman, J.C.; Jumper-Thurman, P.; Plested, 

B.; and Helm, H. “Inhalant Abuse Among American 

Indian, Mexican American, and Non-Latino White 

Adolescents.” American Journal of Drug and Alcohol 

Abuse 28(1):171–187, 2002. 

Bennett, M.E.; Walters, S.T.; Miller, J.H.; and Woodall, 

W.G. “Relationship of Early Inhalant Use to Substance 

Use in College Students.” Journal of Substance Abuse 

12:227–240, 2000. 

Bowen, E.E.; Daniel, J.; and Balster, R.L. “Deaths 

Associated with Inhalant Abuse in Virginia from 1987 to 

1996.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence 53(3):239–45, 1999. 

Brouette, T., and Anton, R. “Clinical Review of Inhalants.” 

American Journal on Addictions 10:79–94, 2001. 

Compton, W.M., III; Cottler, L.B.; Dinwiddie, S.H.; 

Spitznagel, E.L.; Mager, D.E.; and Asmus, G. “Inhalant 

Use: Characteristics and Predictors.” American Journal on 

Addictions 3:263–272, 1994. 

Dinwiddie, S.H. “Abuse of Inhalants: A Review.” 

Addiction 89:925–939, 1994. 

Johnson, E.O.; Schutz, C.G.; Anthony, J.C.; and 

Ensminger, M.E. “Inhalants to Heroin: A Prospective 

Analysis From Adolescence to Adulthood.” Drug and 

Alcohol Dependence 40:159–164, 1995. 

Johnston, L.D.; O’Malley, P.M.; and Bachman, J.G. 

Monitoring the Future: National Survey Results on Drug 

Use, 1975–2001, Volume I: Secondary School Students. 

NIH Pub. No. 02-5106. Rockville, MD: National Institute 

on Drug Abuse, 2002. 

Jumper-Thurman, P., and Beauvais, F. “Treatment of 

Volatile Solvent Abusers.” In: Sharp, C.W.; Beauvais, F.; 

and Spence, R., eds. Inhalant Abuse: A Volatile Research 

Agenda. NIDA Research Monograph 129. NIH Pub. No. 

93-3475. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Drug 

Abuse, 1992. Available at www.drugabuse.gov/pdf/ 

monographs [accessed February 2003]. 

Jumper-Thurman, P.; Plested, B.; and Beauvais, F. 

“Treatment Strategies for Volatile Solvent Abusers in the 

United States.” In: Kozel, N.; Sloboda, Z.; and De La 

Rosa, M., eds. Inhalant Abuse: An International 

Perspective. NIDA Research Monograph 148. NIH Pub. 

No. 95-3831. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Drug 

Abuse, 1995. Available at www.drugabuse.gov/pdf/ 

monographs [accessed February 2003]. 

Keriotis, A.A., and Upadhyaya, H.P. “Inhalant Dependence 

and Withdrawal Symptoms” (Letter). Journal of the 

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 

39(6):679–680, 2000. 

Kurtzman, T.L.; Otsuka, K.N.; and Wahl, R.A. “Inhalant 

Abuse by Adolescents.” Society for Adolescent Medicine 

28:170–180, 2001. 

Malesevich, D., and Jadin, T. “Of Huffers and Huffing: A 

Survey of Adolescent Inhalant Abuse.” In: Center for 

Substance Abuse Treatment. Treating Alcohol and Other 

Drug Abusers in Rural and Frontier Areas: 1994 Award 

for Excellence Papers. Technical Assistance Publication 

17. DHHS Pub. No. (SMA) 95-3054. Rockville, MD: 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 

Administration, 1995, pp. 69–72. 

Maxwell, J.C. “Deaths Related to the Inhalation of Volatile 

Substances in Texas: 1988–1998.” American Journal of 

Drug and Alcohol Abuse 27(4):689-698, 2001. 

National Inhalants Prevention Coalition. “Making a 

Difference: Inhalant Treatment Facility Helps Kickapoo 

Tribe Fight Inhalant Addiction.” Viewpoint Summer:2–3, 

7, 1997. 

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Inhalant Abuse. 

Research Report Series. NIH Pub. No. 00-3818. Rockville, 

MD: NIDA, July 2000. 

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Pandina, R., and Hendren, R. “Other Drugs of Abuse: 

Inhalants, Designer Drugs, and Steroids.” In: McCrady, 

B.S., and Epstein, E.E., eds. Addictions: A Comprehensive 

Guidebook. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999, pp. 

171–184. 

Reidel, S.; Herbert, T.; and Byrd, P. “Inhalant Abuse: 

Confronting a Growing Challenge.” In: Center for 

Substance Abuse Treatment. Treating Alcohol and Other 

Drug Abusers in Rural and Frontier Areas: 1994 Award 

for Excellence Papers. Technical Assistance Publication 

17. DHHS Pub. No. (SMA) 95-3054. Rockville, MD: 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 

Administration, 1995, pp. 1–12. 

Ron, M.A. “Volatile Substance Abuse: A Review of 

Possible Long-Term Neurological, Intellectual and 

Psychiatric Sequelae.” British Journal of Psychiatry 

148:235–246, 1986. 

Rosenberg, N.L.; Kleinschmidt-DeMasters, B.K.; Davis, 

K.A.; Dreisbach, J.N.; Hormes, J.T.; and Filley, C.M. 

“Toluene Abuse Causes Diffuse Central Nervous System 

White Matter Changes.” Annals of Neurology 

23(6):611–614, 1988a. 

Rosenberg, N.L.; Spitz, M.C.; Filley, C.M.; Davis, K.A.; 

and Schaumburg, H.H. “Central Nervous System Effects 

of Chronic Toluene Abuse—Clinical, Brainstem Evoked 

Response and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies.” 

Neurotoxicology and Teratology 10(5):489–495, 1988b. 

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 

Administration), Office of Applied Studies. Detailed 

Tables. Results from the 2001 National Household Survey 

on Drug Abuse: Volume III. Rockville, MD: U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services, 2002a. 

Available at www.samhsa.gov/oas/nhsda.htm and at 

www.DrugAbuseStatistics.SAMHSA.gov [accessed March 

2003]. 

SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies. Emergency 

Department Trends From the Drug Abuse Warning 

Network, Preliminary Estimates January–June 2002. 

DAWN Series D-22, DHHS Pub. No. (SMA) 03-3779. 

Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services, 2002b. 

SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies. Mortality Data 

From the Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2001. DAWN 

Series D-23, DHHS Pub. No. (SMA) 03-3781. Rockville, 

MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

2002c. 

SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies. Technical 

Appendices and Selected Data Tables. Summary of 

Findings from the 2001 National Household Survey on 

Drug Abuse: Volume II. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department 

of Health and Human Services, 2002d. 

SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies. Treatment Episode 

Data Set (TEDS): 1992–2000. National Admissions to 

Substance Abuse Treatment Services. DASIS Series S-17, 

DHHS Pub. No. (SMA) 02-3727, Rockville, MD: U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services, 2002e. 

Schutz, C.G.; Chilcoat, H.D.; and Anthony, J.C. “The 

Association Between Sniffing Inhalants and Injecting 

Drugs.” Comprehensive Psychiatry 36(2):99–105, 1994. 

Synergies. The 11th Annual NIAPW Local Coordinator’s 

Kit, March 16–22, 2003. Effecting Change Together. 

Austin, TX: Synergies, 2002. 

Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. 

Understanding Inhalant Users: An Overview for Parents, 

Educators, and Clinicians. Revised Edition. Austin, TX: 

Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, 1997. 

Available at www.tcada.state.tx.us/research/inhalants 

[accessed February 2003]. 

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Resources for Additional
 

Information
 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 

Administration
 

5600 Fishers Lane
 

Rockville, MD 20857
 

Web: www.samhsa.gov
 

Phone: 301-443-8956
 

National Inhalant Prevention Coalition 

Web: www.inhalants.org
 

Phone: 800-269-4237
 

E-mail: nipc@io.com
 

National Institute on Drug Abuse 

National Institutes of Health
 

6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 5213
 

Bethesda, MD 20892-9561
 

Web: www.drugabuse.gov
 

Phone: 301-443-1124
 

Office of National Drug Control Policy 

Drug Policy Information Clearinghouse 

P.O. Box 6000
 

Rockville, MD 20849-6000
 

Web: www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov
 

Phone: 800-666-3332
 

E-mail: ondcp@nchrs.org
 

Substance Abuse Treatment Advisory 

Substance Abuse Treatment Advisory—published on an 

as-needed basis for treatment providers—was produced by 

Johnson, Bassin & Shaw, Inc., under contract 270-99-7072, 

for the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), of the 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

(SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

(HHS). Edwin M. Craft, Dr.P.H., LCPC, is the CSAT point 

of contact for the publication. The content of this publication 

does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of SAMHSA 

or HHS. For further information or to request information 

about Substance Abuse Treatment Advisory, please contact 

Dr. Craft at ecraft@samhsa.gov. 

Public Domain Notice: All material appearing in this report 

is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied 

without permission; citation of the source is appreciated. 

However, this publication may not be reproduced or 

distributed for a fee without the specific, written authorization 

of the Office of Communications, SAMHSA, HHS. 

Electronic Access and Copies of Publication: This 

publication can be accessed electronically through the Internet 

at www.csat.samhsa.gov. Additional free print copies can be 

ordered from SAMHSA’s National Clearinghouse for Alcohol 

and Drug Information at 1-800-729-6686. 

Recommended Citation: Center for Substance Abuse 

Treatment. “Inhalants.” Substance Abuse Treatment Advisory. 

Volume 3, Issue 1, March 2003. 

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

7079 Oakland Mills Road 

Columbia, MD 21046 

PRSRT STD
 

U.S. POSTAGE
 

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PERMIT NO. 259
 

DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 03-3788 

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Printed 2003