Inhalants: Harm Minimisation Strategies

General Safety Tips for Inhalant Use

Understand Your Substance:

• Know the effects and risks: inhalants can vary significantly in their potency and effects. Familiarise yourself with the specific type you are using and its potential risks.
• Test your inhalant: start with a small dose to gauge its potency. Wait at least 30 minutes before considering more.

Set and Setting:

• Mindset: ensure you are in a stable and positive mental state before using inhalants. Avoid use if you are feeling anxious, stressed, or depressed.
• Environment: use inhalants in well-ventilated or outdoor spaces to ensure fresh air availability. Avoid using in confined spaces to reduce the risk of suffocation.

Mixing and Masking Effects:

• Avoid mixing with other drugs: especially avoid combining inhalants with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other depressants. This can significantly increase the risk of respiratory depression and suffocation.
• No smoking: many inhalants are highly flammable. Avoid smoking or using open flames while using inhalants.

Measure Your Doses Accurately:

• Use appropriate methods: avoid inhaling directly from the container. Instead, pour the substance into an open bottle or soak a cloth and sniff from that. Using a balloon for nitrous oxide is safer than direct inhalation.

Hydrate and Nourish:

• Stay hydrated: drink plenty of water before, during, and after use to avoid dehydration.
• Eat well: maintain a balanced diet to support your body's recovery.

Substance-Specific Tips

Nitrous Oxide (N2O, Laughing Gas):

• Use balloons: only release nitrous oxide into a balloon before inhaling. This helps warm the gas and normalise pressure, reducing the risk of frostbite and lung damage.
• Limit usage: restrict use to a couple of inhalations and wait 5 minutes between each use to allow oxygen replenishment.
• Sitting or lying down: use while seated or lying down to prevent falls and injuries.
• B12 supplementation: regular use can deplete vitamin B12. Consider taking a B12 supplement to mitigate this effect.

Amyl Nitrite (Poppers):

• Inhale safely: inhale through the nose by holding the open bottle up to one nostril. Avoid direct skin contact as poppers are corrosive.
• Never swallow: consuming poppers orally can be fatal.
• Avoid mixing with vasodilators: do not use with medications like Viagra or other vasodilators as this can cause dangerous drops in blood pressure.

General Inhalants (Solvents, Gases):

• Avoid direct inhalation: do not inhale directly from the container or a plastic bag. This increases the risk of suffocation.
• Use in safe spaces: ensure a safe environment free of dangerous objects to prevent injury in case of sudden loss of consciousness.

Recognising and Responding to Overdose

Signs of Overdose:

• Confusion or disorientation
• Slurred speech
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Vomiting.

Responding to Overdose:

• Call emergency services (000 in Australia): provide clear information about what was taken and the symptoms being exhibited.
• Stay with the person: keep them calm and monitor their condition.
• Recovery position: if unconscious but breathing, place them in the recovery position to maintain an open airway and prevent choking.

Safe Management of Withdrawal

Managing Withdrawal:

• Medical supervision: seek medical advice before stopping inhalant use, especially if dependent.
• Supportive care: stay hydrated, eat well, and seek support from friends, family, or professional services.

High-Risk Combinations to Avoid

• Inhalants and alcohol: increases risk of suffocation and respiratory depression.
• Inhalants and depressants (benzos, opioids): can significantly increase the risk of overdose due to compounded depressant effects.
• Inhalants and stimulants (cocaine, amphetamines): can mask the effects of each other, leading to dangerous levels of consumption.