Inhalant Addiction – A Growing Problem
By Dr.Fourkan Ali
Inhalant addiction is a growing problem here in the UK. A recent
study into the use of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas as it is also known, showed
that use of this substance is rapidly increasing, especially among young
people. Nitrous oxide is typically inhaled from balloons, and many users are of
the opinion that it is a harmless activity. However, research has revealed that
some people are at risking neurological problems because of their abuse of
laughing gas.
The study queried more than 100,000 people
from twenty different countries, and of those questioned, 17,000 admitted to
having tried nitrous oxide. Eight-and-a-half thousand had used it in the past
year, which was an increase of 6.5% on the previous year.
UK Popularity
Nitrous oxide use was more prevalent in the UK
than in any other country taking part in the survey. Of the UK participants,
51.3 per cent had tried laughing gas before, and 38 per cent had used it in the
past year. In 2015, 38 per cent admitted to having tried laughing gas while
23.7 per cent acknowledged to having used it in the previous twelve months.
While the majority of people said they inhaled
nitrous oxide from a balloon, 13 per cent confessed to getting the gas from
whipped cream dispensers. Others took even greater risks, with 0.6 per cent
saying they inhaled the gas from a plastic bag, which could lead to
suffocation. A further 0.8 per cent stated that they inhaled it from the gas
bulbs found in the whipped cream dispensers, which carries a risk of freezer
burns.
Party Drug
Seventy-two per cent of the individuals
queried said they used nitrous oxide at house parties, with 48 per cent saying
it was something they took at festivals. The level of use varied with 25 per
cent saying they had only tried it once and half admitting to using it between
once and ten times. One per cent of those questioned admitted to heavy use –
over one hundred days in the past twelve months.
When asked about side effects of inhaling
nitrous oxide, less than a third of those who had used it in 2016 said they had
experienced confusion and hallucinations. Twelve per cent were affected by
nausea, and 2.5 per cent had been involved in an accident.
The presence of long-term effects was another
question, with a small number of people reporting numbness around the mouth and
extremities. Four per cent spoke about ‘persistent numbness and tingling in
their fingers and toes’, according to Dr Adam Winstock, who is a leading
addiction specialist and consultant psychiatrist.
Dr Winstock, who conducted the survey, added,
“Regular, frequent users, are at risk of peripheral neuropathy, although it is
reversible. It’s not that this drug is dangerous but if you are taking it at
that sort of level, it will deplete your levels of vitamin B12.”
Inhalant Abuse
While nitrous oxide is a gas that is commonly
abused, it is not the only substance that people are guilty of inhaling for a
‘high’. Most of the substances that individuals inhale for the mood-altering
properties are easily accessible and have everyday uses. These include cleaning
fluids, correction fluid, permanent markers, nail polish remover, spray paint,
hairspray, air fresheners, lighter fluid, and paint thinners.
As you can see, many of these substances would
be present in the home and are, therefore, attractive to teenagers and young
people who want to get high. This makes it extremely difficult for parents to
prevent their children from abusing these substances. Despite the fact that
these products contain warnings of the dangers of inhaling, many youngsters
still view them as a harmless way to get high.
The Effects of Inhalants
Inhalants tend to affect users quite quickly,
and the effect they have will depend on a number of factors, including the
substance being abused, the general health of the user, and his or her age.
Substances are inhaled and absorbed by the lungs before quickly travelling to
the blood and then onto the brain. This makes the user feel lightheaded and
intoxicated. They tend to produce similar effects to alcohol, but users often
say that colours, sizes and shapes of objects become distorted. Some users may
experience euphoria and giddiness while others just feel very sleepy. The
effects of inhalants tend to last for about 45 minutes to an hour, but users
usually top up by taking more of the substance to prolong the effects.
The Dangers of Inhalant Abuse
Inhalant abuse can lead to a number of health
problems, depending on the substance being abused. Those who sniff solvents
from plastic bags are risking asphyxiation, especially if they pass out while
they still have their head in the bag. Others may fall unconscious and vomit,
which increases the risk of death from choking.
Inhalant users are in danger of developing
mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. It is not uncommon for
those with inhalant addiction to have suicidal thoughts. And because those who
become intoxicated on inhalants become quite reckless, they are in danger of
suffering burns from accidental fires due to the highly flammable nature of
most inhalants.
Inhaling substances over an extended period
can also lead to physical health problems such as lung disease, liver disease,
neurological problems, and heart problems.
Chronic inhalant abuse can also result in
inhalant addiction, and with that often comes a host of lifestyle problems
including financial hardship, job losses, and relationship breakdowns.
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