Do you know about the “forgotten drug epidemic”? It is inhalant abuse. This is not so common addiction but is still there. Millions of Americans have, at some point in their lives, abused one or the other inhalant. The consequences of this kind of abuse are reported lesser than those of heroin and other drugs.
Yet, inhalants can cause disastrous consequences. Their abuse can even be fatal. Prolonged use of inhalants can create a strong dependence, which is hard to tackle. You may need exclusive treatment places such as drug rehab in Kentucky.
Understanding inhalants better
Inhalants are volatile chemicals. People generally inhale the chemical vapors to get “high.” The vapors create mind-altering effects.
Inhalants are easily available. In fact, they may be lying around in your house at present. It could be your adhesive, nail paint remover, paint thinner, aerosols, glues, gasoline, household cleaning solutions, medical anesthetics, and others.
Intoxication duration varies with the type of inhalant. On average, the “high” lasts about 15-30 minutes.
How inhalants work on your brain
Inhalants produce a feeling of euphoria. They work by depressing the central nervous system, just like barbs and alcohol work. They envelop you in a certain calmness that you love to be in. And that’s where the addiction trap lies.
If you find yourselves using inhalants repeatedly and feel you have no control over their use, you must consider enrolling in a rehab program. You are into addiction and need immediate treatment.
Why do people become inhalant addicts?
Anybody can buy inhalants, as they are perfectly legal. They aren’t drugs. They are household and office use items that you use almost daily. They are not manufactured for recreational use. They have a specific purpose. For example, paint thinner is developed to thin the paint. It was not meant to be inhaled for recreational purposes.
Yet, due to their ability to hit the reward center of the brain (where dopamine is produced), these inhalants can make you want to inhale their fumes repeatedly, forgetting the real purpose they were designed for.
If you are the one who has developed an addiction to an inhalant, lose no time in dialing the number of the addiction hotline.
Studies reveal that abuse of inhalants can cause psychological dependence and addiction. Inhalants induce the brain to release “happy hormones.” This makes you feel happy. Once the effect withers off, you want to be happy again.
Long-term effects of inhalant abuse
Repeated abuse of inhalants can lead to false beliefs, memory issues, and long-lasting headaches.
Long-term use of inhalants can lead to damage to bones, nerves, liver, kidneys, and brain. It can lead to loss of hearing and/or vision and lack of coordination. It can cause heart problems and oxygen depletion in the body.
Brain damage caused by inhalant abuse is usually irreversible. Once inhalants accumulate in the brain, they can lead to coma or death.
The best way to deal with inhalant addiction is to seek expert help. Do not think that because inhalants are not drugs they are harmless. Some inhalants are so powerful they can kill you in an instant!