The word inhalants describes chemical vapors or gases that create a “high” when inhaled. They include household, industrial, and medical products such as glue, gasoline, cleaning solvents, spray paints, correction fluids, felt-tip markers, and aerosols. However, these substances were never intended for recreation or consumption.

Since inhalants are affordable, legal, and readily available, they possess a significant potential for misuse, particularly by minors and young individuals. Inhalant addiction can lead to serious health issues or potentially result in death. Inhalants may lead to heart failure or asphyxiation. Regular use of these substances can damage the brain, heart, kidneys, and liver [1].

Getting off inhalants can cause severe withdrawal symptoms that can be extremely uncomfortable and difficult to manage alone. However, detoxing from inhalants is possible under a medically supervised environment with the right support and counseling. Here’s what you should know about stopping inhalants and what it takes to recover from inhalant abuse.

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What Are Inhalants?

Inhalants are volatile materials, i.e. chemicals that generate vapors. These vapors can be breathed, which is generally referred to as huffing, chroming, or bagging, to produce mind-altering effects. While other drugs and psychoactive substances can also be abused via inhalation, inhalants are specifically categorized as substances that individuals inhale to obtain a high.

Types of Inhalants

Inhalants can produce a range of effects and are present in numerous products. They can be categorized into four main types:

Volatile solvents: These are fluids that evaporate at ambient temperature. They are present in numerous affordable, readily accessible items utilized in households or industries. Volatile solvents comprise paint thinners and removers, dry-cleaning agents, degreasers, gasoline, adhesives, correction fluids, and felt-tip pens.

Aerosols: These include spray paints, hair sprays and deodorants, cooking sprays, and fabric protection sprays.

Gases: These include anesthetics utilized in medical treatments such as ether, chloroform, halothane, and nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas). Nitrous oxide is available in small containers referred to as whippets or chargers. These can emit vapors into whipped cream, pouches, or a balloon. Products for homes or businesses that contain gases include butane lighters, propane cylinders, and refrigerants.

Nitrites: These are available in small containers referred to as poppers. In contrast to most inhalants that directly affect the central nervous system, nitrites mainly expand blood vessels and ease muscle tension.

What Is Inhalant Withdrawal Like?

Withdrawal symptoms from inhalants occur when the body reacts to the absence of a substance it has become reliant upon. Although the likelihood of forming a physical reliance on inhalants is fairly minimal, numerous users develop a psychological addiction.

When an individual dependent on inhalants abruptly ceases usage, their body experiences withdrawal symptoms. The inhalants that people most frequently abuse are whippets.

Inhalants Withdrawal Symptoms

Symptoms of inhalants withdrawal can manifest as both psychological and physical. Although symptoms are generally mild, individuals with a prolonged history of inhalant abuse may face intense symptoms.

Typical and/or intense withdrawal symptoms of inhalants consist of:

• Poor memory
• Nausea
• Cravings
• Vomiting
• Rapid heartbeat
• Runny eyes or nose
• Psychosis
• Hallucinations
• Headaches
• Irritability and agitation
• Anxiety
• Hand tremors
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Difficulty concentrating
• Restlessness
• Excessive sweating
• Dizziness
• Anger outbursts
• Mood changes

Inhalants Withdrawal Timeline

Producing a precise timeline for inhalant withdrawal is challenging, as several factors impact the length of each person’s unique withdrawal process. These factors consist of:

• The type of inhalant(s) misused
• The particular product(s) misused
• The duration for which the user misused inhalants
• How often the user misused inhalants
• Whether the user misused inhalants along with other drugs
• The individual’s psychological well-being and health background
• Gender
• Body mass

That said, an average inhalant withdrawal timeline looks like this:

• Days 1–2: Physical symptoms are the first to occur and generally begin within 48 hours of stopping inhalants. These include tremors, sweating, body aches, vomiting, and, in severe cases, seizures.
• Days 3–7: Most physical symptoms start to diminish, and psychological symptoms begin to manifest, such as psychosis, depression, insomnia, and anxiety.
• Days 8–21: Over the coming weeks, most withdrawal symptoms continue to fade until they’re practically gone. However, certain symptoms, such as depression and mild drug cravings, may persist for some individuals.

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Why Inhalant Abuse Causes Withdrawal

Since inhalants act as central nervous system (CNS) depressants, the user’s bodily functions are inhibited when these substances are used.

When the individual stops using these chemicals abruptly, the functions that were previously inhibited become overly active. This leads to distressing withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety and nausea, among other symptoms.

What Is Detox for Inhalants Like?

Withdrawal from inhalants can be challenging both physically and mentally, increasing the risk of relapse for those recovering. A common question is, how long does it take to detox from inhalants? While the acute withdrawal phase typically lasts a few days to a week, full detoxification can take longer, especially for long-term users. This is because inhalants build up in the fatty tissues of the brain, heart, liver, and muscles, meaning that chronic users may take more time to completely eliminate the substances from their bodies—making withdrawal particularly difficult.

To avoid relapse, it is advised that patients undergo inhalants detox in a drug rehabilitation facility with the oversight of skilled healthcare experts. It is essential to offer patients a secure environment that limits their access to inhalants.

Medications

Although there are no drugs explicitly aimed at easing inhalant withdrawal symptoms, physicians may suggest medications to address nausea, insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Due to the negative short-term and long-term effects of inhalant drugs on the body, their use is not gradually reduced. Rather, patients are required to stop right away upon joining a program.

Inpatient and Outpatient Facilities

Receiving care at an inpatient or outpatient facility will provide inhalant users a respite from the daily routine that has perpetuated their ongoing substance use disorder. Treatment for inhalant addiction generally begins with medical detoxification and then continues with different therapies aimed to retrain the core thoughts and behaviors that contributed to the addiction. Support groups frequently have a significant impact during the treatment process and continue to do so after rehab concludes.

What Happens After Inhalant Detox?

Continuous treatment is an essential strategy to avoid relapse. Assistance is crucial for recovery since individuals seldom manage to completely heal by themselves. Therapy and support groups serve as the primary resources for individuals who are dependent on inhalants.

The psychological and social issues resulting from prolonged inhalant abuse can be addressed through continuous cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This type of therapy is employed to assist individuals with an addiction in recovering and gaining insight into the root causes of their addiction.

Support groups and family members are excellent resources for individuals undergoing treatment. They offer encouragement to maintain sobriety and a community of individuals with whom a recently sober person can connect. Individuals with underlying mental health issues may be given medications to assist them in managing their condition and achieving successful recovery.

Inhalants Withdrawal FAQs

What Are the Side Effects of Stopping Inhalants?

The side effects of stopping inhalants include headaches, nausea or vomiting, hallucinations, watery eyes or runny nose, cravings, rapid heartbeat, low mood, and anxiety.

How Long Do Inhalants Withdrawals Last?

Symptoms of inhalants withdrawal typically emerge within the first 24 to 48 hours following the final use. The length and intensity of symptoms differ among individuals, but the majority experience the peak of withdrawal within approximately one week. Psychological withdrawal symptoms, like cravings and depression, may persist much longer than the physical symptoms.

Certain inhalant users have claimed to experience psychological withdrawal for several months after they stop using. The negative effects of abuse are referred to as post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS). In extreme instances, PAWS may persist for as long as 18–24 months.

Recovery from Inhalant Addiction at Gratitude Lodge

Overcoming inhalant addiction is achievable with tailored treatment programs at Gratitude Lodge!

Choosing to recover and overcome your dependence on inhalants may be a life-saving choice. If you or someone close to you is dealing with an inhalant addiction, locating a treatment center is crucial for success.

Our rehabilitation facility offers exceptional, flexible treatment options to support your recovery. We understand that every individual experiencing addiction has unique recovery needs, and we will work with you to create a truly personalized treatment and recovery plan. Plans include:

• Psychotherapies
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Individual counseling
• Holistic therapy
• MAT (medication-assisted treatment)
• Aftercare and support

Conquer addiction once and for all at Gratitude Lodge. Call us today at 844-576-0144 to get started!

Sources

1. store.samhsa.gov/product/TIP-45-Detoxification-and-Substance-Abuse-Treatment/SMA15-4131
2. drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/inhalants