Inhalant Use Disorder: A Comprehensive Guide to Risks, Symptoms, and Recovery
Updated: 2 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Answer
Inhalant use disorder is the repeated use of household and workplace products such as spray paint, cleaning fluid or gasoline to get high, most often by children and teenagers ages 12 to 17. Even first-time use can cause seizures, coma and sudden cardiac death. Treatment includes cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interventions, family counseling and support groups. [1]
What the research says
The dangers reach the heart, brain and lungs. A toxicology review reports that inhalational abuse is associated with central nervous system depression, metabolic acidosis and arrhythmia. Abuse of halogenated hydrocarbons can cause a fatal arrhythmia termed "sudden sniffing death," and heavy, long-term use is associated with cerebellar dysfunction, encephalopathy, weakness and dementia. Aspiration of hydrocarbons can cause a potentially fatal pneumonitis. (Tormoehlen et al., Clin Toxicol, 2014)
Prevention and first-line treatment are multimodal. A literature synthesis on adolescent inhalant use found that psychoeducation, skills training and reducing access to inhalants help prevent use. For treatment, preliminary findings suggest a multimodal approach of individual counseling (a brief CBT intervention), family therapy and activity and engagement programs is first-line, with residential treatment for more severe presentations. (Nguyen et al., Int J Drug Policy, 2016)
Treatment research is thin. A Cochrane systematic review searching to February 2010 found no randomized or controlled clinical trials of treatments for inhalant dependence or abuse that met its criteria, so no conclusions could be drawn for clinical practice, and the authors called for treatment research to be a priority. (Konghom et al., Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2010)
What is inhalant use disorder?
Inhalant use disorder (inhalant abuse) is a type of substance use disorder. People who use inhalants breathe in common household or workplace products through the mouth or nose to get high. Other names for this include snorting, bagging or huffing. More than 1,000 products are used as inhalants, including oven cleaner, model glue, spray paint, paint thinner, cleaning fluid, nail polish remover, gasoline and lighter fluid. [1]
Inhalant use shares characteristics with other substance use disorders because it intensely and directly stimulates the reinforcement and reward systems of the brain. Compulsive use can lead to dependence, in which everything else in life can fall by the wayside, with negative consequences and long-term health effects. [1] According to a 2020 survey, 2.4 million people in the U.S. ages 12 and older had used an inhalant in the past year. [1]
Who is at risk?
Children and teenagers ages 12 to 17 are the most common age group that uses inhalants, making up the largest share of users at 2.7% in 2020, although children as young as 5 have used them. Young people often use inhalants because they are inexpensive and easy to find, and often before moving on to other substances such as cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs. Inhalant use disorder is also more common in men than in women. [1]
Recognizing the signs and symptoms
People who use inhalants may show: [1]
Chemical odors on their breath or clothes
Paint or other stains on their hands, fingers or clothes
Behavior changes, including apathy (lack of interest)
A significant decrease in appetite and weight loss
A sudden change in friends and hobbies
A rapid decline in school performance
Changes in hygiene and grooming habits
Slurred speech
A runny nose or nosebleeds
Fatigue
Ulcers or irritation around the nose and mouth
Other symptoms may include confusion, poor concentration, depression, irritability, hostility and paranoia. [1]
Dangers and complications
Emergency risks
Some products, especially solvents and aerosol sprays, have high concentrations of harmful chemicals. Inhaling them can lead to seizures, coma and sudden cardiac death, in which the heart stops beating, even for first-time users. Breathing in inhalants from a paper or plastic bag placed over the head can cause death from suffocation, and toxic fumes replacing oxygen in the lungs can cause death by asphyxiation. [1] Reviews describe a fatal arrhythmia known as "sudden sniffing death" and a potentially fatal lung inflammation after aspiration. [2]
If someone collapses, has a seizure or is not breathing normally after using an inhalant, call emergency services immediately. Emergency treatment focuses on the life-threatening event, such as stopping a seizure or restarting the heart, because there are no specific treatments available to reverse the effects of inhalant intoxication. [1]
Long-term complications
Long-term use can cause physical and psychological complications, directly from drug use or because substance use is linked to other risks such as unsafe sex or unstable housing. [1]
Type | Possible conditions |
Physical | Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, bronchitis, asthma and sinusitis. |
Psychological | Depression, anxiety, inhalant-induced psychotic disorder, major or mild neurocognitive disorder, and inhalant intoxication delirium. |
How is it diagnosed?
According to the DSM-5, providers diagnose inhalant use disorder when repeated use of inhalants leads to significant distress or impairment, or a problematic pattern of intoxication develops. At least two of the following must occur over a one-year period: [1]
A strong craving or desire to use inhalants
A strong urge to stop and/or unsuccessful efforts to do so
Spending a lot of time getting, using or recovering from the effects of inhalants
Continuing to use despite problems with work, school and relationships
Giving up important career, social or recreational activities because of use
Using repeatedly despite knowing the physical effects
Needing more of an inhalant to get the same effect
Treatment and recovery
Treatment is similar to that for other addictive behaviors and includes individual therapy, family therapy, activity and engagement programs and aftercare, including support groups. [1] Evidence on inhalant-specific treatment is still limited, and more research is needed. [3] [4]
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT): teaches how to handle stressful situations, cope with cravings and resist offers to use inhalants.
Motivational interventions: a counseling style that helps teens gain the motivation to commit to change.
Family counseling: improves communication, relationships, actions and behaviors between family members.
Activity and engagement programs: such as movie nights, dances and hiking, which provide new skills and social experiences and help young people build relationships with non-users.
Support groups and 12-step programs: such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, which help reduce the risk of relapse.
People with more severe inhalant use disorder may receive the best treatment in a residential treatment program. [1]
Outlook
The outlook depends on the severity of the disorder, the degree of dependence, the level of commitment to quitting, the treatment time frame and how you handle stressful situations. People with inhalant use disorder can recover and lead full lives, but getting help is essential. Reach out to a healthcare provider to start the process. [1]
Prevention
Studies show that teaching adolescents life skills in school has helped reduce inhalant use. Life skills training focuses on increasing self-esteem and communication, improving personal relationships, and managing anxiety and pressure. Other school-based programs that target adolescent substance use have also produced positive results. [1]
How to help a loved one
Speak up: say something sooner rather than later; the earlier treatment begins, the better.
Practice empathy: listen thoughtfully, even if you disagree.
Be patient: no single action or conversation will fix the problem.
Take care of yourself: seek help if you feel depressed, stressed, isolated or grieving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are huffing, bagging and snorting?
Huffing, bagging and snorting are other names for inhalant use, in which people breathe in common household or workplace products through the mouth or nose to get high. All of them can be dangerous.
Can someone die the first time they use inhalants?
Yes. Some products, especially solvents and aerosol sprays, contain high concentrations of harmful chemicals that can lead to seizures, coma and sudden cardiac death, even in first-time users.
Are inhalants addictive?
Inhalant use shares characteristics with other substance use disorders because it intensely and directly stimulates the brain's reinforcement and reward systems. Compulsive use can lead to dependence.
Which age group uses inhalants most?
Children and teenagers ages 12 to 17 are the most common users (2.7% in a 2020 survey), though children as young as 5 have used inhalants. They are inexpensive and easy to find.
How can I tell if my child may be using inhalants?
Possible signs include chemical odors on the breath or clothes, paint stains on the hands or clothes, a rapid decline in school performance, sudden changes in friends and hobbies, appetite loss, slurred speech, runny nose or nosebleeds, and sores around the nose and mouth.
Is there a cure for inhalant use disorder?
Like other substance use disorders, it is treatable. People can recover and lead full lives, but getting help is essential, and the outlook depends on the severity, the degree of dependence, commitment to quitting and how a person handles stress.
Can inhalants cause lasting brain or mental health problems?
Long-term use is linked to complications such as depression, anxiety, inhalant-induced psychotic disorder and major or mild neurocognitive disorder. Reviews of heavy, long-term use describe cerebellar dysfunction, encephalopathy and dementia.
Does inhalant use lead to other drug use?
Children and teens often use inhalants before moving on to other substances such as cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs.
How is an inhalant overdose treated?
Emergency care treats the life-threatening event, such as stopping a seizure or restarting the heart. There are no specific treatments available to reverse the effects of inhalant intoxication.
How is inhalant use disorder diagnosed?
Using the DSM-5, a provider diagnoses it when repeated use leads to significant distress or impairment, with at least two criteria, such as strong cravings or unsuccessful efforts to stop, present over a one-year period.
What role does family therapy play in recovery?
Family counseling focuses on improving communication, relationships, actions and behaviors between family members, which supports a young person's recovery.
Are there support groups?
Yes. Support groups and 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous help reduce the risk of relapse and help maintain a substance-free life.
Can inhalants cause suffocation?
Yes. Breathing inhalants from a paper or plastic bag placed over the head can cause death from suffocation, and toxic fumes replacing oxygen in the lungs can cause death by asphyxiation.
How can I help a loved one?
Speak up early, practice empathy and listen, be patient because there is no quick fix, and take care of your own mental health. Help your loved one find treatment as soon as possible.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Inhalant Use Disorder. Cleveland Clinic. Last updated June 26, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15742-inhalant-abuse
Tormoehlen LM, Tekulve KJ, Nañagas KA. Hydrocarbon toxicity: A review. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2014;52(5):479-89. PMID 24911841. https://doi.org/10.3109/15563650.2014.923904
Nguyen J, O'Brien C, Schapp S. Adolescent inhalant use prevention, assessment, and treatment: A literature synthesis. Int J Drug Policy. 2016;31:15-24. PMID 26969125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.02.001
Konghom S, Verachai V, Srisurapanont M, et al. Treatment for inhalant dependence and abuse. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;(12):CD007537. PMID 21154379. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007537.pub2
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are concerned about substance use, talk to a healthcare professional. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
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