What Are Inhalants?

Inhalants are medications patients must inhale to achieve the desired effect, even though other substances can be inhaled and misused. Some examples of inhalants include solvents, aerosol sprays, gases, and prescription medicines for chest pain. Inhalants can also be products that are easily found around the house or at work. Examples of these everyday inhalants include spray paints, markers, glues and cleaning fluids.

These products are dangerous because they contain substances that alter the mind after inhaling. People use these products to achieve a “high” even though they are not typically referenced as drugs because they are not meant to produce psychoactive effects. When these products are misused specifically to alter the mind, they are referenced as inhalants. Younger kids and teens are the ones who misuse inhalants at higher frequencies when compared to their older peers.

Inhalants Withdrawal and Detox

One must stop taking inhalants to safely remove them from the body. If you are taking inhalants because your doctor has prescribed them to you, do not abruptly stop taking the medication. Suddenly halting your inhalant treatment may produce enhanced and unwanted withdrawal symptoms. Typically, your doctor will gradually lower your inhalant dose over time so your body has enough time to respond to lower amounts of the medication.

What Are Common Inhalants Withdrawal Symptoms?

If you or someone you know repeatedly uses inhalants, there is a chance they could become psychologically addicted to the medication. If you have been taking large doses of inhalants over a long period, you may experience undesirable withdrawal symptoms. Common inhalant withdrawal symptoms may include nausea, loss of appetite, sweating, problems sleeping and mood changes.

Inhalants Withdrawal Timeline and Symptom Durations

The withdrawal timeline and symptoms duration for misusing inhalants is usually rather short but it is never the same for every patient. Everyone’s unique physiology contributes to the speed at which inhalants can be removed from the body. Several factors including the patient’s age, metabolism, organ functions, inhalant usage frequency, and more all play a role in how quickly inhalant withdrawal symptoms will subside.

Managing Withdrawal Symptoms of Inhalants

It may be necessary to seek a medically assisted detoxification program if you are having difficulty managing inhalants withdrawal symptoms. This type of program is beneficial for very serious cases of inhalant withdrawal, as patients can receive information on how to identify and cope with their individual situation and progress. A safe detox from inhalants is an important step in each patient’s journey to recovery.

Inhalants Medications and Detox

It is important to keep a list of your current medications, including herbal products and over the counter drugs, as these can potentially interact with inhalants. Some drug interactions with inhalants can be deadly. Remember to share your current medication list with your doctor to avoid any unfortunate circumstances of interaction.

People use inhalants to achieve a “high” because of inhalants’ ability to slow down body functions. When inhalants are combined with depressants such as tranquilizers or alcohol, the effect can be lethal. Some patients can even overdose on small amounts of inhalants when mixing them with alcohol. In addition, inhalants can impair people’s decision-making skills. When inhalants are combined with mind-altering substances, people are at higher risk for making dangerous and even life-threatening decisions because their inhibitions have been lowered.

How to Choose an Inhalants Center

Choosing the right rehabilitation center to fit your specific needs is an important step in your recovery journey. Set up a meeting with your doctor to discuss what you are looking for in your treatment program. You may want to consider factors that can influence your inhalants withdrawal symptoms, like how long you have been misusing inhalants as well as the level of doses you are accustomed to taking.

If you or someone you know is suffering from inhalant addiction or another substance use disorder, The Recovery Village has a variety of programs and resource available for those who wish to live a drug-free life.

Even though recovery may be difficult for some patients, The Recovery Village will be with you every step of the way as you take steps toward saving you or your loved one’s life.

Visit the following websites to learn about The Recovery Village’s network of rehabilitation facilities. Call today for admissions. Each center is ready to help people learn how to cope with their addiction and uncover the root causes for their substance use disorder.

  • Orlando Recovery Center: A premier rehabilitation facility in Orlando, Florida that helps individuals recover from addiction and substance use disorders. The center also offers the opportunity to treat co-occurring disorders.
  • The Recovery Village Columbus: Located in Ohio, this facility provides inpatient, outpatient and aftercare treatment for people looking to begin detox. The center provides individualized plans to help patients through recovery while addressing their unique co-occurring disorders or any setbacks that may happen during recovery.
  • The Recovery Village Palmer Lake: In Colorado, this facility offers inpatient, outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment for individuals looking to kick-start their journey to recovery.
  • The Recovery Village Ridgefield: Located right in southern Washington, this facility provides patients with outpatient and aftercare programs. Just 20 minutes outside of Portland, this facility assists individuals who are ready to begin treatment.
  • The Recovery Village: In Umatilla, Florida, this is a rehabilitation facility that provides resources for individuals seeking drug and alcohol treatment. There are inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization treatment programs available for those suffering from Ambien addiction.
  • IAFF Center of Excellence: Specializes in assisting firefighters who struggle with behavioral health problems and addiction. Members can enter the recovery process sooner so they can return back to work as quickly as possible. Inpatient, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs are all available at this facility, where patients can address their Ambien addiction in a safe, supportive environment.
  • Denver Mental Health & Counseling: Denver Mental Health and Counseling by The Recovery Village is a physician-led outpatient center specializing in evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, offering services such as TMS, IOP, and personalized care for both ongoing and new patients, dedicated to fostering long-term recovery and overall well-being.
  • The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health: The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health is a premier physician-led treatment center in South Florida, offering a comprehensive spectrum of services from medical detox to outpatient programs for alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, with a commitment to rejuvenating lives, families, and communities, and facilitating same-day admissions.
  • The Recovery Village Atlanta: Located in Roswell just outside downtown Atlanta, is a 62-bed physician-led treatment facility offering a comprehensive range of services, from medical detox to outpatient care, specializing in alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, dedicated to transforming lives, families, and communities throughout Georgia.
  • The Recovery Village Kansas City: The Recovery Village Kansas City, an 80-bed facility in Raytown just 10 miles from downtown, offers a comprehensive range of evidence-based treatments for addiction and mental health conditions, overseen by physician leaders, and is dedicated to revitalizing lives, families, and communities throughout the Midwest.
  • The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper Health: The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper, situated just 20 minutes from Philadelphia, is a leading rehab facility in South Jersey providing comprehensive, evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, ranging from medical detox to teletherapy, with a dedicated team committed to guiding adults on their path to lifelong recovery.

Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.