Inhalant Addiction Treatment in Marietta, GA

Because of how accessible inhalants like paint thinners and aerosol spray cans are and the fact that many adolescents abuse them, some may think it’s impossible to become addicted to inhalants. Though it’s more uncommon than other types of drug addictions, inhalant addiction is very much real and should be taken seriously, which is why Atlanta Treatment LLC offers specialized inhalant addiction treatment in Marietta, Georgia.

According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the percentage of inhalant users aged 12 or older in the United States has increased from .6 to .8 percent, or from 1.7 million to 2.1 million people in just three years. At our facility, we have treatment options from partial hospitalization to night outpatient treatment with the understanding that every person’s situation is different. Call us to begin outlining your unique plan today.

What Are Inhalants?

Inhalants describe a class of drugs that include any product that is solely inhaled, such as laughing gas or nitrous oxide. While some drugs can be inhaled, they’re not considered inhalants if they can be absorbed any other way. Inhalants typically include a wide range of cleaning and industrial products that can be found at the local grocery store or even at home in the bathroom cabinet, which is why so many young people use inhalants. According to studies, 60% of first-time inhalant users are teenagers.

When individuals breathe in the fumes of inhalants through sniffing or what many people refer to as “huffing,” they feel a short-lived high as a result of the inhalant slowing down brain activity, along with other side effects like dizziness, lightheadedness, and possible loss of consciousness. Because the high lasts just a few minutes, people who abuse inhalants will often huff the product numerous times in a session, which explains how addiction can develop.

Types of Inhalants

Inhalants are typically divided into one of three categories, which include:

• Aerosols: Aerosol sprays are one of the most commonly abused inhalants and often include hairsprays or deodorant sprays, spray paints, and computer cleaning products.
• Gases: These types of products can be commercially produced such as butane lighters and whipped cream dispensers, but can also include forms of anesthesia like nitrous oxide, ether, and chloroform, which are used in medical settings to help patients lose consciousness and/or sensation during procedures like surgery.
• Solvents: These are liquids that become gases at room temperature and include products like gasoline, lighter fluid, and paint thinner, as well as art-related products like glue, felt-tip marker fluid, and correction fluids.

Signs of Inhalant Addiction

Recognizing the signs of inhalant addiction is crucial for identifying potential substance abuse and seeking appropriate assistance. Inhalants, commonly household items with psychoactive properties when misused, can lead to various physical and behavioral indicators. Understanding these signs is vital for individuals and their support networks to address inhalant addiction promptly. Below are key signs associated with inhalant abuse: 

• Slurred Speech: Inhalant addiction may be evidenced by slurred speech, indicating impairment and potential substance misuse.
• Runny Nose/Nosebleeds: Frequent instances of a runny nose or nosebleeds can be indicative of inhalant abuse, impacting nasal health.
• Sleepiness: Excessive sleepiness or drowsiness may signal the sedative effects of inhalant substances on the central nervous system.
• Confusion: Individuals struggling with inhalant addiction may exhibit confusion, affecting cognitive functioning and mental clarity.
• Irritability: Inhalant abuse can lead to irritability, causing mood swings and emotional instability. 

How Inhalants Impact the Brain

While you may think your brain is safe from inhalants because the high only lasts for a few minutes, the unfortunate reality is that addiction can lead to long-term health effects like delayed behavioral development and brain damage from the interrupted oxygen flow to your brain.

Inhalant addiction may also lead to hearing loss, bone marrow damage, and loss of coordination as a side effect of nerve damage. Inhalant overdose is possible and often leads to symptoms commonly associated with other types of drug overdose, such as seizures and coma. In some rare cases, individuals can die when they huff inhalants in what is known as sudden sniffing death, which involves the heart stopping. Because the brain is responsible for so much of your bodily functions, from cognition to communication, inhalant addiction can be incredibly dangerous to your health and your future.

Your journey towards sobriety begins with just a call. Reach us at (678) 379-3111 to begin inhalant addiction treatment in Marietta.  At Atlanta Treatment LLC, we believe everyone has a right to recover from drug and alcohol addiction.