Signs of Abuse

Understanding the signs of abuse is crucial for early intervention and saving lives. Familiarize yourself with these signs.

Inhaled chemicals are absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream and distributed quickly to the brain and other organs. Different inhalants have different effects. Within minutes, the user experiences feelings of intoxication and may become dizzy, have headaches, abdominal pain, limb spasms, lack of coordination, loss of control, hallucinations, and impaired judgment.

Worse, the user can potentially die from a condition known as Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome, which occurs the first time a chemical is inhaled.

Long-term inhalant users generally suffer from muscle weakness, inattentiveness, lack of coordination, irritability, depression, liver or kidney damage, and central nervous system (including brain) damage. The dangers are real, the side effects are severe, and the high is not worth risking your life.

Behavioral Signs of Inhalant Abuse

Painting fingernails with magic markers or correction fluid
Sitting with a pen or marker by the nose
Constantly smelling clothing sleeves
Showing paint or stain marks on face, fingers, or clothing
Having numerous butane lighters and refills in room, backpack, or locker
Hiding rags, clothes, or empty containers of the potentially abused products in closets, under the bed, in garage, etc.

Symptoms of Inhalant Abuse

Drunk, dazed, or dizzy appearance
Slurred or disoriented speech
Uncoordinated physical gestures
Red or runny eyes and nose
Spots and/or sores around the mouth
Unusual breath odor or chemical odor on clothing
Signs of paint or other products where they wouldn’t normally be, such as on face, lips, nose, or fingers
Nausea and/or loss of appetite
Chronic inhalant abusers may exhibit symptoms such as hallucinations, anxiety, excitability, irritability, restlessness or anger.

Talking to Your Child/Teen

Ask your child/teen if he or she knows about inhalant abuse. Has he or she witnessed other kids abusing these products?
Reinforce resistance to peer pressure and provide your child/teen with ways to say no, i.e.“That’s not for me” or “No thanks, that stuff can be really dangerous.”
Set your expectations and be clear. Let your child/teen know where you stand on inhalant abuse and how you would feel if you found out he or she were doing it. Emphasize that unsafe actions and risky behavior have serious consequences.
Have more than one conversation about inhalant abuse: these talks shouldn’t be one and done. Long conversations are not needed; 60 second chats regularly will reiterate the risks and expectations to your child/teen
More Tips

In Case of an Emergency

First, stay calm. Do not excite or argue with the abuser while they are under the influence. This may trigger the heart rate to increase, causing cardiac arrest.
If the person is unconscious or not breathing - call for help immediately. CPR should be administered until help arrives.
If the person is conscious, keep them calm and in a well-ventilated area.
Do not leave the person alone.

A helpful way to remember the warning signs of inhalant abuse:

Hidden, chemical-soaked rags or clothes
Eyes and nose red and runny
Loss of appetite or nausea
Paint or chemical stains on face or fingers

To support someone you know who is addicted to inhalants, read Personal Stories, or to start the conversation, get more help.

Slang Terms

Know what language children and teens use to talk about inhalant abuse.

Aimies	Amphetamine; amyl nitrite
Air blast	Inhalants
Ames	Amyl nitrite
Amys	Amyl nitrite
Aroma of men	Isobutyl nitrite
Bagging	Using inhalants
Bang	Inhalants; to inject a drug
Bolt	Amphetamine; isobutyl nitrite
Boppers	Amyl nitrite
Bullet	Isobutyl nitrite; inhalants
Bullet bolt	Inhalants
Buzz Bomb	Nitrous oxide
Chroming	Inhalant
Climax	Crack; heroin, isobutyl nitrite; inhalants
Discorama	Inhalants
Glading	Using inhalants
Gluey	One who sniffs or inhales glue
Hardware	Isobutyl nitrite; inhalants
Heart-on	Inhalants
Highball	Inhalants
Hippie crack	Inhalants
Honey oil	Ketamine; inhalants
Huff	Inhalants
Laughing gas	Nitrous oxide
Medusa	Inhalants
Moon gas	Inhalants
Oz	Inhalants
Pearls	Amyl nitrite
Poor man’s pot	Inhalants
Poppers	Isobutyl nitrite; amyl nitrite
Quicksilver	Isobutyl nitrite; inhalants
Rush	Cocaine; isobutyl nitrite; inhalants
Rush Snappers	Isobutyl nitrite
Satan’s secret	Inhalants
Shoot the breeze	Nitrous oxide
Snappers	Isobutyl nitrite
Snotballs	Rubber cement rolled into balls, burned, and the fumes are inhaled
Spray	Inhalants
Texas shoe shine	Inhalants
Thrust	Isobutyl intrite; inhalants
Toilet water	Inhalants
Tolly	Toluene – chemical contained in many inhalants
Toncho	Octane booster that is inhaled
Whippets	Nitrous oxide
Whiteout	Inhalants; isobutyl nitrite

Alliance for Consumer Education