Inhalants (Nitrous Oxide) |
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During 2001, more than 18 million people ages 12 and older admitted
to using an inhalant at least once in their lifetime. Inhalant
abuse is the deliberate inhaling or sniffing of the substance to
get high. In fact, an estimated 1,000 substances are misused in
this manner. The National Household Survey reported between 1994
and 2000, the number of new inhalants users increased more than
50% from 618,000 in 1994 to 979,000 in 2000.
One of the common forms of inhalant is nitrous oxide. Nitrous
oxide is more popularly known as laughing gas or whippets. Unfortunately,
people are choosing to use these for the wrong purposes, including
for recreational uses. An alarming fact is that nitrous oxide and
other inhalants cause at least 100 deaths a year in the United
States.
Nitrous oxide depresses the central nervous system, producing
decreased respiration and blood pressure. In turn, it shuts off
oxygen to the inner brain, which produces an intense weakness and
dizziness that lasts between 30-60 seconds. People report distortions
in perceptions of time and space.
There are many adverse side effects that are apparent with inhalants,
in particular nitrous oxide. Perhaps the most significant effect
is a feeling of pressure behind the eyes and a severe headache.
Other effects include stimulation, followed by nausea, sleepiness,
loss of motor coordination, disorientation, loss of appetite, slurred
speech, and wheezing. Everytime inhalation occurs, people who use
feel more and more out of control and the result of unconsciousness
may happen. Finally nitrous oxide can cause suffocation to those
who sniff nitrous directly from a tank or a large bag in a small
enough space could pass out, permanently.
Hopefully, this preceding information will add insight to your
understanding of the many negative health problems that inhalants
pose to its users. Please contact Health Promotions at 255-4850
for additional information on inhalants. The following are websites
which contain valuable material on inhalants and other illegal
drugs.
Websites and Links
Office of National Drug Control Policy
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
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