Inhalants Addiction Treatment

What are Inhalants?

Inhalants are toxic chemicals found in hundreds of different home products that people use to get high. The list of substances that can be inhaled includes:

• aerosol sprays
• cleaning fluids
• fabric protectors
• gases
• markers
• nail polish removers
• nitrites (prescription medicines for chest pain)
• solvents

When these substances are inhaled, they produce a toxic effect in the lungs. The oxygen becomes replaced by a gas which is deadly to the body. And while using these products can get you high, their use can also be addictive.

If or your loved one is fighting addiction, medical treatment helps people effectively treat and overcome the problem. More here on what you can expect from a quality rehab. Plus, we’ve included a special section at the end for your question(s). If you take the time to write to us in the comments section, we’ll try our best to respond to you personally and promptly!

______

Call 1-877-947-4175 to discuss your recovery options today.
Calls are confidential and our advisers are available 24/7.
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Are Inhalants Addictive?

Yes. Inhalants are physically and psychologically addictive.

Inhalants are substances with psychoactive properties. Many don’t consider them to be “drugs” because they are not primarily produced for human consumption. But when these substances are taken for the purpose of getting “high”, they are referred to as inhalants. Inhalants are mostly abused by kids and teens because they are easy to buy or find in homes or workplace.

A person who abuses inhalants can be hard to detect because the effects of these toxic substances are short-lived. People who abuse inhalants have noticeable changes in their physical appearance. Be alerted if you notice the following signs:

• confusion and headaches that last several hours
• drunk appearance
• lack of coordination and dizziness
• paint or stains on clothing, face or hands
• red eyes and runny nose
• sores around mouth
• unusual smelling breath

Addiction is characterized by the 4 C’s:

1. CONTINUED use despite negative consequences to home, work, or health
2. CRAVINGS for a drug
3. COMPULSIVE or obsessive thinking about a drug
4. Loss of CONTROL of drug use

If you or someone you know has a problem with inhalant abuse, call our hotline at 1-877-947-4175 to learn about rehab facilities that might be a match for you.

Safely Breaking Free From Inhalant Addiction

Inhalants may help you feel good, they can provide an extreme sense of well-being… but only in the beginning. After only a few uses, your body can adapt and increase tolerance for the drugs you are using. This means that you need more drugs more often to get the initial effect. Before long, inhalants can take over your health and your life.

So, why hold on to something that makes you miserable? It’s time to get real and stop pretending. Any addiction requires professional help in the form of medical treatment. You don’t need to do it alone. But you do need to reach out and be ready to accept the hep. No more excuses! Call 1-877-947-4175 today to get the best treatment options for your inhalant addiction.

In order to safely break free from addiction, you need medical help. Rehabilitation centers involve either inpatient or outpatient treatment. Inpatient treatment is usually recommended for more extreme cases of abuse or dependence, while outpatient treatment may be more effective for those with milder dependence. You can make this decision with the expert advice of a licensed clinical psychologist or addiction specialist. Other choices you’ll need to make include:

CHOICE 1: TREATMENT SETTING

Inpatient (residential) treatment provides a safe environment, away from the setting that led you to inhalants in the first place.

Outpatient treatment centers allow you to work on your recovery from home. You will still attend regular group and individual therapy, but you will not be living in an entirely sober environment.

CHOICE 2: PROGRAM LENGTH

Programs last 30, 60, 90 days or more if needed.

30-day programs include group and individual therapy sessions while living in an entirely sober setting.
60-day programs are an extended version allowing addicts to develop a better connection with their doctors and recovering peers.
90-days or longer treatment stay in a sober environment gives you more time to develop and upgrade your abstinence skills.

CHOICE 3: Therapies and amenities included in your treatment.

Addiction programs usually offer a combination of 12-step philosophies, evidence-based therapy (medications + talk therapy_, and alternative holistic options. When applied together, the combined treatment modalities can maximize your chances of successful recovery and long-lasting sobriety. If you have a strong preference for cognitive treatment vs. faith-based treatment…be sure to vocalize this and find a rehab that matches your beliefs.

CHOICE 4: Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders.

Are you battling Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, or another mental health issue? If you suffer from a mental health and substance abuse disorder, then special treatment is in order. Before entering treatment, check that the program you’ve chosen has experience in treating Co-Occurring Disorders, particularly the issues you are struggling with.

How do you get started?

If you are ready to face the problem head-on…congratulations! Your chances of success are much higher than someone who is still in denial of a problem. So, what do you do next?

We recommend that you give us a call. Our helpline is committed to helping you enter treatment. When you call, we’ll listen to you. We understand addiction as a medical condition. We’ve heard it all, seen it all. So, we won’t be shocked by your individual problems. What’s most important, you do not have to look for treatment alone. We can help guide you through the process.

The questions we usually ask are the following:

Are you in a safe place to talk?
What type of addiction are you struggling with?
How long do you abuse inhalants?
What motivated you to stat abusing inhalants?
Do you use other substances in combination with inhalants?
Are you diagnosed with any other co-occurring disorders?
Are you ready and willing to start treatment?

Addiction to inhalants is a serious matter. But it definitely gets better when you seek medical treatment. If you or someone you are assisting is addicted to inhalants dial 1-877-947-4175. Our toll-free hotline is a free service for those who seek recovery.

The 4 Stages Treatment

Once you commit to treatment…what next? Here, we’ll review the main stages of addiction treatment.

FIRST STAGE: EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT

During this stage, you and your doctor will have the opportunity to speak in detail about your state of health, your inhalant addiction issues (how long it’s been going on, motives of use, family history), as well as your expectations of treatment. This process allows the treatment facility to recommend a meaningful treatment strategy that is individually created just for you. You can plan for a physical exam, a verbal or written interview, and/or drug screening. Assessments and evaluations are generally conducted by:

• Addiction Counselors
• Medical Doctors
• Psychiatrists
• Psychologists
• Social Workers

It is best to schedule an assessment/evaluation of a drug problem with a professional who has a background in the field of addiction.

SECOND STAGE: DETOX

Medical detoxification is a procedure during which drugs (inhalants) are systematically and safely eliminated from your body under the care of a physician. Detox is monitored in a special ward of a hospital or clinic with 24-7 medical care and access to emotional and psychological support. The best thing about a medical detox is its safety and efficacy during drug withdrawal. Medications can be provided – as needed – t address withdrawal symptoms as they occur.

THIRD STAGE: THERAPY

After finishing detox, you’ll continue working on the mental and behavioral aspects of your particular relationship with addiction. Therapy works best when combined with medications – as needed – to help balance the chemistry of the brain. Think of it this way: Your body needs to be supported in order to do the inner work of changing thoughts, beliefs, and patterns. Addiction treatment programs provide psychotherapy and behavioral therapies such as:

• Family therapy
• Individual and group therapy sessions
• Nutritional counselling and wellness activities
• Behavioral therapies

FOURTH STAGE: AFTERCARE

If you want to remain drug-free, you must continue the work you started in rehab even after the treatment program formally ends. Aftercare programs and comprehensive plans are essential for long-term recovery after completing rehab. In order to stay sober, you should have a plan for transitioning back into real life. This plan can include sober living, support group attendance, ongoing counseling, and alumni activities.

Treatment is a SAFE and EFFECTIVE way of overcoming a compulsion to use inhalant drugs. Contact us at 1-877-947-4175 to start your recovery journey today. Live the life that you deserve!

Fear of Withdrawal: What’s It Like?

Inhalants are chemicals with a toxic effect on the brain and body… similar to other drugs. Repeated inhalant use, will cause tolerance so you’ll feel the need to take more to achieve the same affect. Eventually, when you stop to use inhalants, you may experience a variety of withdrawal symptoms such as:

• aggression and nervousness
• body pain
• convulsions
• depression
• hallucinations
• hand tremors
• headaches
• insomnia
• panic attacks
• psychosis
• sweating
• tremors

Inhalants withdrawal is physically and psychologically intensive. So what can you do to minimize the symptoms?

Experts suggest that anyone who develops physical dependence on inhalants seek medical help during detox. Detox clinics can help address the intensity and severity of withdrawal symptoms AS THEY OCCUR. So, you’ll benefit from 24-7 medical monitoring and access to physicians on call. Furthermore, antipsychotics or antidepressants may help you during withdrawal and can be prescribed in a medical detox. You don’t need to fear withdrawal…instead face it with the help of doctors, nurses, and staff who care!

People who detox on this own tend to relapse to relieve the negative effects of withdrawal. With the proper support, you can get through withdrawal and achieve a clean and sober life. To find caring professionals who can assist you on the road to recovery, call 1-877-947-4175.

Mental Health Issues + Addiction

Individuals that suffer from both a Mental Health Disorder and a Substance Use Disorder face unique challenges when quitting drugs. In these cases, you’ll need a treatment program that will treat both conditions with equal care attention and importance.

If you suffer from an addiction to inhalants and another, “Co-Occurring Disorder” it’s important to verify that the program you’ve chosen has experience in treating both at the same time – particularly the issues you are struggling with. Examples of common mental health issues that occur at the same time as addiction include:

• Conduct Disorder (in adolescence)
• Antisocial Personality Disorder (in adulthood)
• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Depression
• Other Substance Use Disorders

These mental health issues CAN be successfully treated. Here are some therapies commonly used in cases of Co-Occurring Disorders.

Medication therapy. Similar to other health problems, doctors can treat Co-Occurring Disorder by prescribing medications to treat both disorders successfully.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and correcting distorted ways of thinking that can lead to relapse.

Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a variation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy where you work with the therapist to regulate your emotions and learn skills to deal with cravings, and establishing personal boundaries.

Integrated Group Therapy (IGT) addresses substance use disorders and mental health illnesses at the same time..

Individual Psychotherapy treats behaviors related to substance abuse and/or particular behavioral or mental health problems.

Make contact now to find out more about treatment services. Pick up the phone and dial 1-877-947-4175.

How to Help a Loved one with Inhalant Addiction

Q: If my friend or loved one asks my help about his/her inhalant addiction problem, where do I start?
A: If they are ready to accept treatment, celebrate! Then, do tons of research.

FIRST: Locate an appropriate physician or health professional, and give them all the necessary information about your loved one inhalant addiction. If possible, choose a doctor or counselor who has expertise in the area of inhalant addiction. There are 3,500 board-certified physicians who specialize in addiction in the United States. Use The American Society of Addiction Medicine website tool Find a Physician. Additionally, you can also find a medical professional from the patient referral program of The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.

SECOND: Assure your loved one that you support his/ her courageous efforts and tell them that you will participate in treatment as well.

THIRD: Take care of yourself and do not obsess with negative thoughts. You need to be strong in order for your loved one to have a person to lean on in case of emotional crisis during treatment. Look into support groups such as Al-Anon or Narc-Anon. Or, seek psychotherapy counseling for yourself.

What if they don’t want help?

Your loved one may be defensive about drug use or in denial about addiction. If they refuse to get into rehab, don’t lose hope. The tough lesson is: Addicts cannot be forced to change. Instead, you need to learn how to be safe around them. You need to do your research about addiction…and you need to know when to intervene.

Look into Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT). During support therapies and sessions, you will learn how to keep a positive relationship with your addicted love done. You will practice new ways of showing support. You’ll learn to stop enabling addiction. Enabling = behaviors that you take that stop a loved one from taking accountability for their actions and may include:

• Making excuses for them
• Giving them rides
• Paying their rent or bills
• Providing them with a place to live and food

The CRAFT Model will teach you over the course of 16-20 weeks how to set up your home environment to support yourself…and how to offer treatment WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT. This works far better than arguing, persuading, and pushing them into treatment. As you are learning to set new limits, you can emphasize personal choice and control by saying things such as:

“It really is up to you to decide to make this change.”
“No one else can do it for you.”
“I cannot make you go to rehab, but I hope you’ll seek help soon.”

Worried about a friend or family member? Help them take their first step toward recovery. Call 1-877-947-4175 now.

Ongoing Treatment and Relapse Prevention

Q: What happens after you finish your treatment program?
A: After making it through an inhalant addiction treatment program your job is to REMAIN SOBER.

Recovery is not over once your addiction programs ends. Reaching sobriety is a huge achievement but it is not the end of the story. In fact, the real work begins after your initial treatment period is over. This is why it is it is very important to receive an aftercare plan before you leave the facility. Aftercare includes activities that follow initial treatment. Continuing care is usually provided in the form of:

• Alumni Meetings
• Ongoing Counseling/Psychotherapy
• Support Group Attendance

The transition back into life can be very challenging and you have to be in charge of your own decisions once you leave treatment. Aftercare meetings allow you to grow accustomed to the idea that you CAN remain abstinent. Continuing care programs usually include some of the following strategies to help you remain sober:

1. Training and education on recognizing warning signs of relapse and what to when they come.
2. Coping strategies for dealing with cravings or external cues that could trigger repeated inhalant use.
3. Educational opportunities for family member and loved ones during sessions.

Continuing care is especially necessary during the first couple of years after formal treatment is over. Addiction to inhalants makes people fragile and vulnerable. Therefore, you need to know how to take care of yourself and stay away from high-risk situations. As you continue to receive support, you’ll be far more aware of triggers. This makes it less likely that you’ll relapse and reach for inhalants again….You can live a drug-free life!

We can help you or your loved one get well.

If you have questions about any of the information we’ve presented about addiction, or if you want to find out about starting treatment, please give us a call 1-877-947-4175.

We’re here day or night, ready to answer your questions.

Reference Sources: NIDA: What are inhalants?

NIDA for Teens: Inhalants

SAMHSA: Treatments for Substance Use Disorders

NIH: Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition)