Drug Education Student Booklet

24 IMMEDIATE LONG TERM ● Increased heart rate ● Feeling light headed and dizzy ● Loss of inhibitions ● Agitation ● Loss of coordination and balance ● Irritation to the eyes, nose and throat ● Aggressive behaviour ● Slurred speech ● Headaches ● Confusion and drowsiness ● Nausea and vomiting ● Hallucinations (e.g. seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there) ● Suffocation ● Seizures ● ‘Sudden sniffing death’ syndrome (caused by heart failure that can occur within a few minutes) ● Dependence* ● Brain damage ● Tremors ● Problems breathing ● Loss of hearing and vision ● Increased risk of leukaemia from petrol sniffing ● Damage to the immune system, bones, nerves, kidney, liver, heart, and lungs * See Glossary on page 36 WHAT ARE THEY? Inhalants, also known as volatile substances or solvents, are substances that are sniffed or breathed in through the nose and/or the mouth to give the person using the drug an immediate high. There are four main types of inhalants: ● Volatile solvents ● Aerosol sprays ● Gases ● Nitrites EFFECTS OF INHALANTS Most inhalants have an immediate effect that is usually only felt for a few minutes. People using these drugs sometimes keep on sniffing to prolong the high – in some cases this can lead to loss of consciousness, brain damage, and even death. Effects of inhalants vary, but may include: INHALANTS