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Inhalants

Brief Description

Many products readily found in the home or workplace—such as spray paints, markers, glues, and cleaning fluids—contain volatile substances that have psychoactive (mind-altering) properties when inhaled. People do not typically think of these products as drugs because they were never intended for that purpose. However, these products are sometimes abused in that way. They are especially (but not exclusively) abused by young children and adolescents, and are the only class of substance abused more by younger than by older teens. Learn more

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Statistics and Trends

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Monitoring the Future Study: Trends in Prevalence of Inhalants for 8th Graders, 10th Graders, and 12th Graders; 2016 (in percent)*
Drug Time Period 8th Graders 10th Graders 12th Graders
Inhalants Lifetime [7.70] 6.60 5.00
Past Year [3.80] 2.40 1.70
Past Month 1.80 1.00 0.80

* Data in brackets indicate statistically significant change from the previous year. Previous MTF Data

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National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Trends in Prevalence of Inhalants for Ages 12 or Older, Ages 12 to 17, Ages 18 to 25, and Ages 26 or Older; 2015 (in percent)*
Drug Time Period Ages 12 or Older Ages 12 to 17 Ages 18 to 25 Ages 26 or Older
Inhalants Lifetime 9.60 9.10 13.10 9.60
Past Year 0.70 2.70 4.10 0.30
Past Month 0.20 0.70 0.90 0.10

^ indicate low precision; no estimate reported.
Data in brackets indicate statistically significant change from the previous year. Previous NSDUH Data

Related Publications

Publication: Research Report Series - Inhalant Abuse

Inhalants

Published May 1999. Revised July 2012. Provides scientific research on the nature and extent of inhalant abuse, its potential health consequences, and hazards of chemicals found in commonly abused inhalants. En Español

Inhalants

Revised September 2012. Provides an overview of inhalants, such as types of products commonly inhaled, how they affect the brain, other adverse effects on health, and the scope of use of inhalants in the U.S. En Español

Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide Cover

Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide

Published January 2014. Revised January 2014. Presents research-based principles of adolescent substance use disorder treatment; covers treatment for a variety of drugs including, illicit and prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco; presents settings and evidence-based approaches unique to treating adolescents.

Publication Cover

Inhalants

Published January 1997. Describes to young teens how inhalants, such as hair spray, gasoline, and spray paint, can cause nerve cell damage in the brain that can affect the body in many ways. En Español

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Clinical Trials

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This page was last updated December 2012

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NIDA (). Inhalants. Retrieved , from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/inhalants

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Inhalants

Provides scientific research on the nature and extent of inhalant abuse, its potential health consequences, and hazards of chemicals found in commonly abused inhalants.

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