Inhalants
Correction fluid, glue, petrol and solvents — most often seen in younger and street-connected children.
Inhalants are household or industrial products whose vapours are inhaled for a rapid, short-lived effect. They are cheap and easily available, which is part of the risk.
Use is often repeated many times in a session. Regular use can become a strong habit and is frequently linked with difficult living circumstances.
When it is an emergency
- Collapse or unresponsiveness
- Seizure
- Chest pain or irregular heartbeat
- Difficulty breathing
Signs worth noticing
- Chemical smell on breath or clothes
- Paint or fluid stains on hands or face
- Empty containers of solvent, glue or correction fluid
- Sudden decline in school attendance and appearance
Real risks
- Sudden cardiac death, even on a first occasion
- Damage to the brain, liver and kidneys
- Loss of coordination and accidents
- Suffocation
When to seek help
- Any suspected inhalant use in a child or adolescent
- Repeated intoxication
- Signs of physical decline
What treatment involves
- Immediate medical assessment, particularly for children
- Involvement of child-protection and social support services where relevant
- Psychological and family therapy
- Stable living arrangements as part of the plan
If you are the family
- Respond with concern rather than punishment
- Involve professionals early — this is not a habit to wait out
- Address the wider situation, including school and safety at home
What recovery looks like
- Regular follow-up with a clinician or counsellor
- Relapse-prevention planning that names specific triggers
- Peer or community support where it is available and comfortable
- Family involvement, when the person consents to it
- Attention to sleep, nutrition, work and daily routine
Questions to ask any centre
- What kind of assessment will be done before any treatment starts?
- Who provides medical care here, and what are their qualifications?
- Is withdrawal expected in this case, and how will it be managed?
- What therapies are offered, and how often?
- What does the fee include, and what is charged separately?
- What happens after discharge, and for how long?
Common questions
This guide is general education, not medical advice, and it cannot tell you what is happening in a specific person. Only a qualified clinician can assess that.