Inhalants are often among the first drugs that young children use. About 6 percent of children in the United States have tried inhalants by the time they reach fourth grade. The quick high from inhalants lasts only a few minutes, so abusers often inhale repeatedly over several hours-a practice that can cause unconsciousness and even death. Early recognition of inhalant abuse is important for parents and physicians. Signs include chemical odors on the breath or clothes, paint or other stains on skin or clothes, slurred speech and drunk or disoriented appearance, nausea or lack of appetite, and inattentiveness and lack of coordination.
Inhaled chemicals travel rapidly from the lungs through the blood to the brain and other organs.
In minutes, the user feels alcohol-like effects such as slurred speech, clumsy movements, dizziness, and euphoria. Other effects might include lightheadedness, hallucinations, delusions, and, after heavy use of inhalants, drowsiness and a lingering headache. Inhaled nitrites dilate blood vessels, increase heart rate, and produce a sensation of heat and excitement. A single, prolonged session of inhalant use can produce rapid and irregular heart rhythms, heart failure, and death. It can happen within minutes and can strike an otherwise healthy young person.