Inhalant drugs: types, effects and symptoms of intoxication.

Glue, gasoline, solvents... certain people use these products for their psychoactive effect.

Airborne consumption of chemicals such as glues and aerosols is relatively common among adolescents of low socioeconomic status, and can be very harmful.

In this article we will look at what inhalant drugs are, what types there are and what the symptoms and risks of intoxication are. and the risks of intoxication and abuse of these substances.

What are inhalant drugs?

We speak of inhalant drugs to make reference to a series of chemical compounds with commercial or industrial uses (like gasoline, glues or solvents) that sometimes are sometimes sniffed because their use has psychoactive effects. related to their depressant activity on the central nervous system.

Although they are not generally associated with addiction and pharmacological dependence, inhalant drugs can be very harmful to the abuser, even on an occasional basis: excessive doses can lead to death, and chronic use is associated with physical injuries and permanent psychological disorders.

Inhalant drug use is more common among adolescents (especially those between the ages of 9 and 15) of low socioeconomic status. These young people often inhale the products in groups and choose them for their low price. They choose them because of their low price and ease of access compared to other psychoactive substances. compared to other psychoactive substances.

These products are consumed by various methods that depend on their physical characteristics: inhaling them inside a bag, wetting rags and aspirating them through the nose and mouth, spraying them directly into these routes (as is the case with aerosols), etc.

Symptoms of intoxication

The consumption of inhalant drugs has depressant effects on the central nervous system; this is why its symptoms and signs are similar to those that characterize substances such as alcohol, opiates, opiates, etc., which can cause intoxication. such as alcohol, opiates or drugs of the class of anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics.sedatives and hypnotics, among which we find benzodiazepines and barbiturates.

Thus, according to the DSM, a person can be considered to be intoxicated with inhalants when contact with these substances causes psychological changes (e.g., aggressiveness, decreased motivation, impaired judgment, deficits in social interaction, and decreased academic or work performance) and at least two of the following signs:

• Dizziness, vertigo and balance disorders
• Uncontrollable, repetitive eye movements (nystagmus)
• Problems with motor coordination Motor coordination problems
• Speech articulation disturbances
• Unsteady gait
• Tiredness, fatiguedrowsiness and lethargy
• Impaired reflex movements
• Psychomotor retardation
• Tremors
• Generalized Generalized Muscle weakness
• Blurred or double vision (diplopia)
• Decreased level of consciousness Stupor and even coma
• Feelings of euphoria

Other possible symptoms of intoxication are perceptual disturbances and hallucinations in the visual, auditory or tactile modalities, delusional ideas, the presence of intense anxiety and distortions in the perception of time. When the depression of the central nervous system is very intense death by cardiac or respiratory arrest may occur..

In addition, the abuse of inhalant drugs favors the appearance of psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders or acute psychosis. In the long term, there may be a chronification of the cognitive disorders mentioned above, as well as permanent lesions in the central nervous system and in the brain. permanent lesions in the central and peripheral nervous system, liver or kidneys.and peripheral nervous system, liver or kidneys.

However, inhalant drugs have a very low addictive potential. The cases in which the criteria for the diagnosis of pharmacological dependence are met are few and far between. no real abstinence syndrome (the main factor determining addiction) has been (the main factor that determines addiction) associated with the interruption of the consumption of this type of substances.

Types of volatile substances

There are many commercial and industrial products that are susceptible to use as inhalant drugs. Although the reinforcing effects of all of them are similar, falling into the category of depressant substances, they differ in their side-effect profile and in the possible physical and psychological sequelae associated with their use.

1. Methyl alcohol (methanol)

Methyl alcohol is a chemical compound used to manufacture products such as glues, antifreeze and solvents. It is also the alcohol with the simplest structure. The abuse of methanol is associated with the onset of physical weakness, headaches and blindness. between 6 and 30 hours after consumption, and can cause death.

2. Ketones

The most relevant inhalant in this class is acetone or propanone, which is used as a component of plastics, solvents, glues, glues, degreasers, medicines... Its consumption causes a characteristic and severe irritation of the skin, mucous membranes and eyes; This phenomenon has been called "inhaler syndrome"..

Esters

Esters, such as ethyl acetate or ethanoate (mainly used as a solvent), have effects similar to those of acetone: they very often cause the irritation characteristic of inhaler syndrome, although not as severely as in the previous case.

4. Anesthetics

The most commonly used anesthetic as an inhaled drug is trichloroethylene or TCE, which is also used to manufacture solvents, degreasers and stain removers, among other products. Trichloroethylene can cause permanent lesions in the liver, kidneys and nerves, especially in the cranial and optic nerves.especially in the cranial nerves and more particularly in the optic nerve.

5. Aliphatic hydrocarbons

Aliphatic hydrocarbons such as hexane are found in gasoline, solvents, glues and adhesives. Abuse of these potential inhalants causes anemia, muscle weakness and atrophy, sensory deficits (mainly in tactile perception) and structural impairment of the nervous system.

6. Aromatic hydrocarbons

This type of hydrocarbon includes toluene, a component of gasoline, glues, solvents and degreasers. and degreasing agents. In this case the symptoms of severe poisoning include nausea, stomach pain, lack of appetite, tremors, dullness of consciousness, jaundice and permanent damage to the liver, kidneys and nervous system.