Download Inhalants and Human Physiology

Inhalants and
Human Physiology
Questions to ask before viewing
Synopsis
3. Is inhaling chemical fumes dangerous? Can
5.
1. What are inhalants?
2. Do you know what inhalants can do to the body
and mind?
There are 1,200 chemical products for household
and industrial use available today that have been
abused by sniffers. Inhalant abuse is an often
overlooked form of drug abuse, which produces mindaltering and behavior-changing effects in the user. The
symptoms are similar to those of alcohol intoxication,
ranging from giddiness to slurred speech. Visual and
auditory hallucinations also occur.
The high from inhalants lasts only a short time, but
users prolong it by sniffing the chemical fumes
repeatedly. These fumes and gases have a number of
poisonous and toxic effects on the body and mind.
Unlike drugs that are injected or swallowed, inhalants
travel directly to the bloodstream, brain and heart,
bypassing the filtering functions of the liver, which often
removes some poisonous ingredients. Inhaled vapors
reach the brain at full strength, thereby causing more
damage to the body than most illicit drugs.
One of the worst inhalants is nitrous oxide, otherwise
known as laughing gas. When inhaled, it replaces
oxygen in the body, producing a buzzing in the head,
giddiness, and often uncontrollable laughter. Inhaling
the gas in a small enclosed space can bring about
death from lack of oxygen.
Viewers are warned that inhalants usually lead to
other drug use. Sniffing one time can cause irreparable
harm to the body and mind. Vivid testimonials from
inhalant abusers enhance the educational value of the
program.
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people die from using inhalants?
Can inhalants lead to using other illicit drugs?
Why do you think people use inhalants?
Questions to ask after viewing
6.
7.
1. Describe what inhalants are? (Inhalants are
2.
3.
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solvents which, when sniffed, produce mindaltering and behavior-changing effects. Most
inhalants are volatile, which means they are liquids
and become vapor at room temperature. Many of
the solvents and gases inhaled also have cancercausing substances in them.)
Is inhalant abuse actually drug abuse? Can it
become addictive? (Yes. First the user may sniff
occasionally, then more frequently. The user will
need to increase the amount of inhaled
substances because the body builds up a
tolerance to them. Gradually, it becomes a habit
that the person is unable to stop.)
What are the symptoms of inhalant intoxication?
(A relaxing, floating sensation, giddiness,
euphoria, loss of muscular coordination,
drowsiness, slurred speech, blurred vision, a
numbing of the senses, and visual and auditory
hallucinations.)
List some of the products, which can be classified
as inhalants. (Glues, paint and lacquers, cleaning
fluids, spot removers, shoe polishes, transmission
and brake fluids, liquid waxes, lighter fluids, nail
polishes and polish removers, etc.)
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How does an inhalant abuser achieve their high?
(They sniff chemical fumes directly from a
container containing the inhalant or they soak a
rag in solvent and hold it directly to their nose.
Huffing—inhalation through the mouth—is another
method used.)
Name the organ, which toxic chemicals can
damage. (Inhalants are absorbed rapidly in the
lungs, then heart. Blood carries the toxic
chemicals to all major organs, including the liver,
kidneys, stomach, intestines, and the brain.
What is “Sudden Sniffing Death?” (Once the
poisonous inhalants have reached the heart, the
heart becomes vulnerable to adrenaline—a heart
stimulating hormone released during the stress of
shocks and scares. If something frightens the
sniffer, the adrenaline will kill the heart, instead of
protecting it.)
How do inhalants damage the blood cells?
(Repeated inhalation of solvents damages the
blood as it circulates the toxic chemicals
throughout the body. The blood vessels may get
inflamed. The chronic sniffer may also develop
anemia, an insufficiency of red blood cells and
antibodies—which help fight infections—will result
in a weakened immune system.)
What happens when a person tries to stop using
inhalants? (A person may go through delirium
tremens, a violent for of withdrawal often
experienced by alcoholics and characterized by
confusion, sweating, tremors, convulsions, and
nightmarish hallucinations.)
10. Describe the effects of nitrous oxide on the user.
(When inhaled, it replaces oxygen in the body and
the user feels euphoria, giddiness, and stimulation,
often accompanied by uncontrollable laughter and
a buzzing or ringing in the head. Prolonged use
results in loss of balance and coordination, a loss
of the senses, numbness in the hands and feet,
impaired bladder and bowel functions, impotence,
memory loss, and difficulty in thinking. Inhaling the
gas in an enclosed space, like a car with the
windows rolled up, causes nausea, vomiting,
disorientation, and possibly death from lack of
oxygen.)
11. Why is it dangerous to inhale nitrous oxide from a
tank? (The nitrous oxide can cause frostbite on the
nose, lips, and vocal cords, and may even freeze
or explode the lung tissues.)
12. Why should a pregnant woman never use
inhalants? (Many inhalants are embryo toxic. They
can cause spontaneous abortion or permanent
birth defects in the baby, ranging from physical
malformations to impaired intellect.)
13. Recall the testimonials. Which of them impressed
you most? (Open to discussion.)
14. Ultimately, who must take responsibility for the
decision to use inhalants or other drugs? (Each
and every person is responsible for making their
own choices about their own lives.)
Related Titles in the AIMS collection
Human Physiology Series
8152 Drugs: How They Affect Body Chemistry
9841 Straight Talk
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Length
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Subject areas
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Audience Levels
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Catalog number
13 minutes
Substance Abuse
AIMS
Discussion Guide
Inhalants and
Human Physiology
High School-Adult
8636
Consultants
Robert T. Koda, Pharm.D., Phd.D.
School of Pharmacy
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
Charles W. Sharp, Ph.D.
Director of Preclinical Research
National Institute of Drug Abuse
Rockville, MD
AIMS Multimedia
9710 DeSoto Avenue
Chatsworth, CA 91311
(818) 773-4300 (800) 367-2467
www.aimsmultimedia.com
Objectives
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To demonstrate the physical and mental damage
inhalant abuse does to the body
To warn potential users about the dangers of
inhaling nitrous oxide
To emphasize that combining sniffing and drinking
can be deadly
To stress the individual’s responsibility in making
the right choice between living a life free of drugs
or becoming a drug addict
To point out that inhalant abuse occurs throughout
the country