About Redwood and Randy Cox, LCDC →
What are inhalants?
Inhalants are substances whose vapors are deliberately breathed in for intoxicating effects. They include certain solvents, aerosols, and gases. This category describes a range of chemicals, not one drug with predictable effects. The fact that a product has a normal household or workplace use does not make inhaling it for intoxication safe.
NIH/MedlinePlus: inhalants overview →
Why families should know about them
NIDA reports that inhalant use is most common among young adolescents. Some harmful chemicals are present in ordinary products, so families may not immediately recognize the concern. Education can help adults start an informed conversation without assuming a young person is using a substance.
NIH/NIDA: inhalants and young people →
What the statistics tell us
U.S. people ages 12 and older reported inhalant use in the past year in the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
The share of U.S. people ages 12 and older represented by that same 2024 estimate. It measures reported use, not diagnosed addiction.
These cards describe the same population estimate. They do not measure overdose deaths or predict an individual’s risk. Survey definitions and question changes matter when comparing years; consult the report’s methodological notes.
SAMHSA: 2024 national survey results and methods →
What can addiction look like?
Inhalants can be addictive. Strong cravings and difficulty controlling use can interfere with daily life.
Tolerance and withdrawal can occur. Changes in mood, concentration, or sleep may accompany problematic use, but these symptoms have other possible causes. A family might notice repeated use despite consequences; that is a reason to seek evaluation, not a diagnosis by itself.
NIH/MedlinePlus: inhalant addiction and withdrawal →
How inhalants can affect health
Inhalants can cause cardiac arrest or suffocation. Repeated use can damage the brain, heart, kidneys, and liver. Serious injury or death can happen even with a single episode; a short period of intoxication does not mean the exposure is harmless.
NIH/NIDA: health effects →
NIH/MedlinePlus: risks even with one use →
Warning signs and urgent medical help
Chemical odors on clothing or breath, unusual intoxication, or unexplained changes in coordination may warrant concern. A single sign is not proof of substance use. Explain what you have observed and seek professional guidance.
Call 911 for collapse, a seizure, difficulty breathing, or inability to wake someone. Tell emergency responders about any suspected chemical exposure. Do not assume someone who appears intoxicated can simply sleep it off.
NIH/MedlinePlus: warning signs and when to seek help →
What getting help can involve
Medical assessment can address possible exposure-related injury. Treatment for ongoing use may include counseling and family involvement, with care matched to the person’s needs. Families can seek support themselves while helping a loved one consider evaluation.
NIH/MedlinePlus: treatment and support →
Redwood offers counseling, sober companion support, and family support. Acute chemical exposures and medical emergencies need medical care.
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