Inhalant abuse: A special lure for women
An alarming number of women in the United States are addicted to inhalants, with the majority of these women falling into their addiction in their teens and early 20s. Inhalant abuse causes damage to the body’s organs and tissues, including vital functions like vision, and can lead to death if left untreated. In this article, we’ll talk about what inhalants are, how they work, and what you can do if you or someone you love has become addicted to them. According to statistics, young men between the ages of 13 and 21 are more likely to abuse inhalants than any other demographic. However, this risk does not extend to women, who comprise approximately half of all inhalant abusers between the ages of 12 and 21, according to recent research. If you think your teenage daughter might be abusing inhalants or if you know someone who might be at risk of developing an inhalant addiction, it’s important to understand how this substance can affect them differently than it affects their male counterparts. The Profile of an Inhalant Abuser Inhalants are a particular challenge because they’re legal and readily available—not to mention cheap. They also tend to be popular with younger generations, since they are readily accessible at school or via online shopping sites. While men and boys can become addicted to inhalants as well, there is evidence that inhalant abuse is more common among females. What makes them so attractive? One reason is accessibility. Many young people have easy access to products like spray paint, which means they don’t need to go far out of their way to get high. Young girls may also use inhalants as a coping mechanism during times of stress or anxiety; research shows that female abusers often report feelings of depression and low self-esteem. However, experts caution against viewing inhalant abuse as attention-seeking behaviour. The reality is that many teenage girls suffer from addiction without even realizing it—and therefore never seek treatment. Common Names to Watch Out for These are some names used to identify inhalants—chemicals that can induce a state of euphoria or intoxication when inhaled from a bag or balloon. Today, more young women than ever before are developing an addiction to these chemicals. In fact… One in 4 females entering drug rehab centres are there because of inhalant abuse. Women have been known to inject themselves with household products like solvents, nail polish remover, glues, aerosol sprays and gases just to get high. This is something most people don’t realize about inhalants – they’re extremely addictive. And it doesn’t take long for users to develop a dependency on them. Once you start using them, it becomes increasingly difficult to stop. It’s important that parents talk to their daughters about how dangerous inhalants can be, as well as how damaging their use can be on relationships and schoolwork. The first step toward recovery is admitting you have a problem; if your daughter thinks she has an issue with inhalants, encourage her to seek There are several treatment options available for those who want to break free from their addiction. If you think your daughter might be abusing inhalants, contact us today. We offer compassionate care and treatment options tailored specifically to meet each patient’s needs. Common Products used by Inhalant Abusers Products of these abusers range from medical anesthetics to cleaning solvents. The three most commonly abused inhalants are: 1) nitrous oxide, 2) amyl nitrite and 3) toluene. Nitrous oxide is often referred to as a laughing gas because it was once used in dentist offices as a sedative; today it is still used by dentists and doctors as an oral sedative and pain reliever. It’s also known as whippets or poppers when inhaled directly from whipped cream dispensers or small plastic bottles. Amyl nitrite is a prescription drug that was first developed in 1844 as a treatment for angina (chest pain). It became popular among gay men during the 1970s disco era and has been used to enhance sexual pleasure ever since. Today, it’s sold under names like poppers and rush. Toluene is a colorless liquid that can be found in paint thinners, glues, nail polish removers, rubber cement and many other household products. It can be sniffed directly from containers or poured into paper bags, so its vapours can be inhaled through one end of the bag while holding one’s nose closed with one hand. The effects of inhalant abuse on a woman’s body: Inhalants have similar effects on both male and female users, but women may experience more pronounced symptoms due to their smaller size. Depending on which chemical is being abused, side effects include slurred speech, loss of coordination, dizziness and impaired vision. Long-term use can lead to liver damage, brain damage and even death. Women are particularly susceptible to sudden death caused by heart failure associated with chronic inhalant abuse. They are also at risk for sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis if they engage in risky sexual behaviour while high on inhalants. Women who become pregnant after abusing these chemicals face serious health risks to themselves and their unborn children. How you can help your loved one: If you know someone who abuses inhalants, there is help available—whether she’s ready to admit she has a problem or not. Why do They Use? Inhalants are used to get high, usually by sniffing or huffing. For young people, it’s often seen as a safe alternative to other drugs, such as marijuana and alcohol. The issue is that in many ways, it is even more dangerous than these substances. In addition to affecting a person’s perception of reality and stimulating feelings of euphoria, inhalants can lead to serious damage—physically and mentally—and may even cause death from an overdose. That’s why we want to help educate our community about why you should never use inhalants. For women who might be at risk for trying out new highs, there are certain factors that make them are especially vulnerable. According to
