Inhalants are household and commercial products that can be abused by inhaling the fumes or the vapors at room temperature. Breathing in these fumes produces a euphoric feeling or a high. The feelings are similar to alcohol intoxication or a high with smoking marijuana. When sniffed these products are quickly absorbed and move rapidly to the bloodstream and brain.
Users may pour the chemical on a rag and sniff it, they may spray the inside of a bag and “huff” the fumes in or simply inhale or sniff it out of the container. These products are composed of solvents and substances commonly found in adhesives, anesthetics, cleaning products, food (vegetable cooking spray), gases (helium), solvents and aerosols.
Inhalant Street Names
Inhalants have a wide variety of different street names. Street names can be used to mask the known abuse of drug.
Using inhalants have their own street terms as well.
- Air blast – term for inhalants
- Bagging – using inhalants
- Bang – to inject inhalants
- Bullet bolt – term for inhalants
- Highball – term for inhalants
- Huffing – to sniff inhalant
- Glading – to use inhalant
Street names for specific inhalants include:
- Aimies – amphetamine; amyl nitrite
- Bolt – amphetamine; isobutyl nitrite
- Bullet – isobutyl nitrite
- Dusting – adding PCP, heroin, another drug to marijuana
- Poppers – isobutyl nitrite; amyl nitrite; methamphetamine
- Quicksilver – isobutyl nitrite
- Snotballs – rubber cement rolled into balls, burned and the fumes are inhaled
- Whiteout – inhalants; isobutyl nitrite
Inhalant Abuse Signs
- Paint or stains on the body or clothing
- Spots or sores around the mouth
- Red or runny eyes and nose
- Chemical odor on the breath
- A drunken or dazed appearance
- Loss of appetite
- Excitability and/or irritability
Inhalant Abuse Help
If you have a concern about someone you know that could be abusing inhalants call our 24-hour toll free number at 760.548.4032. We are open to answer your questions.