Inhalant Addiction
By: Jaquel AndersonTotal Views: 242, Word Count: 544,
Inhalant addiction can even be more complicated to deal with than other kinds of addictions because of the easy availability of inhalants. Inhalants are available in abundance and are easy to find simply laying around in basements and garages. Inhalant addiction can be caused due to the use of many household products such as paint thinners, glues, gasoline, propane, butane lighters, spray paint, deodorants, hairsprays, cooking sprays and various nitrates. These products can be inhaled, thus providing a kick for the person.
Very often people suffering from this addiction resemble an alcoholic in many ways. They would have an increased heart rate, laziness, distorted perception, nausea, lack of co-ordination and indistinct speech. Another serious problem with this addiction is that it causes an acceptance quickly and similarly the withdrawal symptoms too. Intense sweating, insomnia, tremors, nausea, extreme protest, anxiety, hallucinations etc. are some of the symptoms of withdrawal caused due to this addiction.
It’s imperative to spot the signs of inhalant addiction that include unexplained paint on the body, face or clothing, runny nose, open sores around the mouth, chemical smelling breath, bloodshot eyes, drunk in appearance and lack of appetite. While this addiction doesn’t cause death, there is a list of other severe health problems that it can cause which include deafness from destroyed brain cells, improper oxygen flow to the blood, certain chemicals cause leukemia, brain damage that includes permanent loss of memory, personality changes and problems of speech, kidney failure, liver damage, reduced muscle tone and strength and skin problems.
Teenagers, especially from 13 to 15 years of age are the ones addicted to inhalants. The reason for this particular age group taking inhalants is just sheer acceptance of peer group and because these products are cheap and easy to get. Many times, people take these inhalants just for experimentation, but later on they get used to it as they are highly addictive. Inhalant addiction is also mainly a problem since it affects the brain very quickly. The kick that comes from using these inhalants is very short lived which means that the user continues to inhale quite often over a short period of time, thus crippling the brain and the central nervous system. Many times, this addiction actually causes problems which are very similar to dementia.
Treatment for inhalant addiction generally requires admittance into a treatment center that focuses on treating people as well as teenagers who are addicted to inhalants. Medications are used to handle withdrawal symptoms and prevent seizures and possible convulsions. Sometimes, psychiatric treatment is also used to treat any problems. Once detox is complete, the main form of treatment is changing the behavior of the person and learning how to live and function without the use of inhalants, thus avoiding high pressure situations.
Reversion is a real possibility with inhalant addiction as the cravings for them is very powerful. Treatment can teach the addicts that life is much better when they are not abusing inhalants and are free from the addiction. In other words, inhalant addiction is no different from other kinds of addictions as the person using them is often caught up in the world of addiction and cannot see what it is doing to him/her or to his/her family and friends.
About the Author
Dr. Jaquel Anderson is a well-known psychiatrist and psychotherapist and has been in this field from1992. His psychiatry and psychotherapy help people with depression, panic attacks, anxiety, social phobias etc. Moreover, he has explored the treatment of stuttering and many clinics follow the same treatment for stuttering. He used to suffer from stuttering himself. He provides high quality treatment of drugs, alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates and pathological gambling addiction by carrying serious physical and psychological examination.
Advice Rating: Not yet rated
Login to vote