Inhalant Addiction Rehab in Prescott

Quality Treatment for Drug Addictions in Arizona

Inhalant abuse is widespread among adolescents as well as adults, and millions of people use inhalants every year to get high without realizing the harmful and lasting effects they can have on their health. What was intended to be a one-time use can quickly become an addiction and put you at risk of an overdose, which can cause your heart to stop beating. At Holdfast Recovery, our team of experts knows how addiction can ruin a person’s health and relationships because we’ve been down that same path. If you need inhalant addiction rehab in Prescott, or treatment for any other type of drug addiction, we’re just a phone call away. We pride ourselves on our commitment to high-quality addiction treatment that is rooted in our Christian values.

Contact us today to speak with one of our admissions counselors online or call (800) 680-7738. We’re happy to go more into depth about our treatment options for inhalant addiction.

Types of Inhalants

Inhalants describe a class of substances that produce vapors people can inhale, typically to induce a brief high. People will sniff the fumes through the nose or mouth to achieve psychoactive effects and slow down brain activity, which lasts for just a few minutes.

Though there are other substances and drugs that can be inhaled, inhalants primarily describe substances that can’t be consumed in any other way besides inhalation. Because many inhalants are sold for commercial and residential purposes and include cleaning products, they’re extremely accessible, which is why many people who abuse inhalants tend to be younger.

One of the most common classification systems divides inhalants into four categories, including:

• Aerosols: One of the more common types of inhalants, aerosols are sprays that can contain solvents and propellants and are inhaled through the mouth or nose. Examples of commonly-abused aerosols include vegetable oil sprays, fabric protector sprays, spray paints, hair sprays, and deodorant sprays.
• Gases: This classification includes both gases found in commercial or household products as well as anesthetics used for medical purposes. Examples of household products containing gases include propane tanks, butane lighters, and nitrous oxide, the most abused gas that is usually found in whipped cream dispensers. Examples of abused medical anesthetics include chloroform, laughing gas (nitrous oxide), and ether.
• Nitrites: While other inhalants act on the central nervous system, nitrites act on the blood vessels and muscles. Some examples include isobutyl nitrite and isoamyl nitrite. Many of these nitrites have been prohibited, but some can still be found in the form of leather cleaners and video head cleaners.
• Volatile solvents: These come in the form of liquids that then vaporize at room temperature and include everyday products like paint thinners and removers, glues, gasoline, felt-tip markers, and dry-cleaning fluids.

Signs & Symptoms of Inhalant Addiction

Though inhalant addiction is rarer than other drug addictions, addiction can still develop from repeated use. Because inhalants produce a short high, people who abuse them will typically sniff or “huff” the inhalant multiple times in one sitting, increasing the risk of addiction.

If you suspect a loved one is addicted to inhalants, there are some signs of inhalant abuse to be aware of, such as:

• Slurred speech
• Inattentiveness or lack of concentration
• Chemical odors found on the clothing of breath
• Paint or stains on hands, face, or clothes
• Hidden or empty containers and cans in the person’s belongings or home
• Red or runny eyes or nose

Thanks to the fact that people who use inhalants reach a sober state relatively quickly after getting high, many don’t realize that inhalant abuse and addiction can lead to health effects, some of which are lasting and can be serious if left untreated. Because inhalants impact your central nervous system, a lot of damage can be done to your brain, both short-term and long-term. For example, short-term health effects include dizziness, hallucinations, and distorted speech, but over time, this can turn into brain damage and delayed behavioral development.

Inhalant overdose is also a danger very few know about. Abusing an inhalant even once is enough to induce a seizure or cause the heart to suddenly stop, leading to death. There are, unfortunately, cases in which people suffocated or suffered brain damage and died after their first time inhaling a spray or solvent.

Signs of an Inhalant Overdose

Recognizing the signs of an inhalant overdose requires a keen awareness of both immediate and delayed symptoms.  Immediate signs, which manifest shortly after inhalation, can include:

• Extreme confusion and disorientation: The individual may appear dazed, unable to answer simple questions, or have difficulty recognizing familiar people or places.
• Loss of coordination and balance: Staggering gait, difficulty walking straight, and clumsiness are common indicators.
• Nausea and vomiting: These are the body's attempts to expel the toxic substances.
• Seizures: Inhalants can disrupt brain function, leading to seizures, which can be life-threatening.
• Respiratory distress: Inhalants can irritate and damage the respiratory system, causing difficulty breathing, wheezing, or even respiratory arrest.
• Cardiac arrhythmias: Irregular heartbeats can occur, potentially leading to cardiac arrest.
• Unconsciousness: The individual may become unresponsive and unable to be awakened.

If you suspect an inhalant overdose, immediate action is crucial. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Remove the inhalant: If possible, safely remove the source of the inhalant, ensuring your own safety. Avoid direct contact with the substance if possible.
• Ensure adequate ventilation: Open windows and doors to improve airflow and reduce the concentration of the inhalant in the air.
• Call for Emergency Medical Help: Dial 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately: Clearly explain the situation, including the suspected substance used and the person's condition. Emphasize that it's a potential inhalant overdose.   
• Assess consciousness: If the person is unconscious, check for breathing and pulse.
• Administer CPR if Necessary: Begin CPR if there is no breathing: If you are trained to do so, start CPR immediately. Continue CPR until medical help arrives.
• Place the person in the recovery position: If the person is unconscious but breathing, carefully roll them onto their side to keep their airway open.   
• Stay with the Person: Remain with the person until medical help arrives: Provide reassurance and monitor their condition closely.
   

How Inhalant Rehab Treatment Helps

At Holdfast Recovery, we know that every person deserves to heal from addiction in their own way, which is why we’re pleased to offer a variety of programs, from intensive outpatient programs (IOP) to partial hospitalization programs (PHP). Therapy is also readily used to help people get to the root of their addictions and learn why they feel the need to abuse inhalants.

As a Christian-based inhalant rehab in Prescott, we also have Bible studies to help our clients re-establish their relationships with Christ so they can live by faith and move forward with their lives.

If you want to learn more or are wondering which insurances we accept, call us at (800) 680-7738 today. Real recovery for inhalant addiction happens at Holdfast.