Inhalant Abuse Treatment

About Inhalant Abuse

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ), inhalants are legal everyday products that are harmless when used as intended. However, when the vapors from these products are intentionally inhaled to get high, they become potentially toxic and sometimes lethal.[3] The statistics relating to the widespread abuse of inhalants by young Americans indicate troubling trends:

• In 2018, about 2 million people aged 12 and older reported using inhalants to get high in the last 12 months. [4]
• In the same year, more than 660,000 adolescents aged 12 to 17 used inhalants to get high in the last 12 months.[4]
• Adolescents (2.7 percent) were more likely than adults aged 18-25 (1.5 percent) to have used inhalants in the past year to get high.[4]
• Female adolescents (3.2 percent) were more likely to have used inhalants in the past month than males (2.3 percent).[3]
• In 2015, nearly 60 percent of adolescents who reported having used inhalants in the past year said they used on 1 to 11 days; about 20 percent of those adolescents said they used inhalants on 12 to 49 days.[3]
• In 2015, adolescents mostly reported felt-tip pens and markers as the types of inhalants they used for inebriation.[3]

Recognizing Inhalant Abuse

Early recognition and intervention are the most effective methods of stopping inhalant abuse before it causes major health consequences. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) provides a list of signs that someone may be abusing inhalants, including:

• Stains from paint or other substances on clothes, face, and hands [5]
• Chemical odors on clothes or breath [5]
• Hidden empty containers of paint or solvent, and rags or clothing soaked in chemicals [5]
• Appearing disoriented or drunk [5]
• Slurred speech [5]
• Loss of appetite [5]
• Inattentiveness [5]
• Compromised coordination [5]
• Nausea [5]
• Depression [5]
• Irritability [5]

Treatment Options

Due to the age of most inhalant abusers, it is usually up to a loved one to reach out for help. Seeking professional help can be critical for a successful recovery from inhalant abuse. A knowledgeable and experienced psychiatrist like Dr. Bober can help inhalant abusers begin recovering. By tailoring a treatment plan,  Dr. Bober can provide support for your mental and overall health so that you can work towards effective results. Treatment options include:

Medication

Inhalant abuse may be exacerbated by other forms of mental illness. Dr. Bober may prescribe carefully selected medications such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, and antipsychotics during recovery treatment.

Therapy

Dr. Bober works closely with a psychologist who can help improve the emotional state of an inhalant abuser and provide coping tools through therapy.

Support Groups

Inhalant abusers are not alone in their struggle with addiction. A support group can provide a comforting environment where patients can feel heard and understood.

Help is Available

If you or a loved one are dealing with inhalant abuse, Dr. Bober in Hollywood, FL, can provide the necessary professional treatment. Once inhalant abuse has been identified, promptly seeking help is the best course of action. Dr. Bober can help inhalant abusers begin their journey toward a better future. Call (954) 994-1115 to request a consultation online today. 

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2948777/ National Institutes of Health

2. https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/119/5/1009 American Academy of Pediatrics

3. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_3095/ShortReport-3095.html SAMHSA CBHSQ 2017 Short Report

4. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2018-nsduh-annual-national-report SAMHSA 2018 NSDUH

5. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/inhalants/how-can-inhalant-abuse-be-recognized National Institute on Drug Abuse