Inhalant Drugs: Types, Effects And Symptoms Of Poisoning
Airborne consumption of chemicals such as glues and aerosols is relatively common in adolescents of low socioeconomic status, and can be very harmful.
In this article we will see What are inhalant drugs, what types are there and what are the symptoms? and the risks of intoxication and abusive consumption of these substances.
We speak of inhalant drugs to refer to a series of chemical compounds with commercial or industrial uses (such as gasoline, glues or solvents) that sometimes are inhaled because their consumption has psychoactive effects related to its depressant activity on the central nervous system.
Although they are generally not related to addiction and pharmacological dependence, inhalant drugs can be very harmful to those who abuse them, even if it is punctual: excessive doses can cause death, and Chronic consumption is related to physical injuries and permanent psychological disorders.
Inhalant drug use is more common in adolescents (especially between approximately 9 and 15 years old) of low socioeconomic status. These young people often inhale the products in groups, and They choose them for their low price and the ease of accessing them compared to other psychoactive substances.
These products are consumed by various methods that depend on their physical characteristics: inhaling them into a bag, wetting cloths and inhaling them through the nose and mouth, spraying them directly into these airways (as is the case with aerosols), etc.
Inhalant drug use has depressant effects on the central nervous system; This is why its symptoms and signs are similar to those that characterize substances such as alcohol, opiates, or drugs in the anti-anxiety class sedatives and hypnotics, among which we find benzodiazepines and barbiturates.
Thus, according to the DSM, a person can be considered to have been poisoned by inhalants when contact with these substances causes psychological changes (for example, aggression, decreased motivation, impaired judgment, deficits in social interaction, and decreased academic performance or labor) and at least two of the following signs:
Other possible symptoms of intoxication are perceptual alterations and hallucinations in the visual, auditory or tactile modalities, delusional ideas, the presence of intense anxiety and distortions in the perception of time. When depression of the central nervous system is very intense Death may occur due to cardiac or respiratory arrest
Furthermore, the abuse of inhalant drugs favors the appearance of psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders or acute psychosis. In the long term, there may be a chronification of the cognitive alterations that we have mentioned, as well as permanent injuries to the central and peripheral nervous system in the liver or kidneys.
However, inhalant drugs have very low addictive potential. The cases in which the criteria for the diagnosis of drug dependence are met are rare and no true withdrawal syndrome has been identified (the main factor that determines addiction) associated with the interruption of the consumption of this type of substance.
Types of volatile substances
There are many commercial and industrial products that can be used as inhalant drugs. Although the reinforcing effects of all of them are similar, falling into the category of depressant substances, They differ in their side effect profile and in the possible physical and psychological consequences that are associated with its consumption.
Methyl alcohol is a chemical compound used to make products such as glues, antifreeze, and solvents. It is also the alcohol with the simplest structure. Methanol abuse is associated with the appearance of physical weakness, headaches and blindness between 6 and 30 hours after consumption, and can cause death.
2. Ketones
The most relevant inhalant within this class is acetone or propanone, which is used as a component of plastics, solvents, glues, glues, degreasers, medications… Its consumption causes characteristic and serious irritation of the skin, mucous membranes and muscles. eyes; This phenomenon has been called “inhaler syndrome.”
3. Esters
Esters, such as ethyl acetate or ethanoate (mainly used as a solvent), have effects similar to those of acetone: they very frequently cause the irritation typical of inhaler syndrome, although not as severely as in the case former.
4. Anesthetics
The anesthetic most commonly used as an inhaled drug is trichloroethylene or TCE, which is also used to manufacture solvents, degreasers and stain removers, among other products. Trichlorethylene can cause permanent damage to the liver, kidneys, and nerves especially in the cranial and more particularly the optical.
5. Aliphatic hydrocarbons
Aliphatic hydrocarbons such as hexane are found in gasoline, solvents, and glues. Abuse of these potential inhalants causes anemia, muscle weakness and atrophy, sensory deficits (mainly in tactile perception), and structural deterioration of the nervous system.
6. Aromatic hydrocarbons
Among this type of hydrocarbons it is worth highlighting toluene, gasoline component, glues, solvents and degreasers. In this case, the symptoms of severe poisoning include nausea, pain in the stomach, lack of appetite, tremors, clouding of consciousness, jaundice and permanent damage to the liver, kidneys and nervous system.
