Alcohol+&+Inhalants

The most commononly abused drugs abused in Aboriginal communities are Inhalants (solvents) and Alcohol, which are both nervous system depressants and produce very similar effects.
 * Inhalant and Alcohol Use in Aboriginal Communities**


 * Alcohol **

__ Route of Administration: __ Typically consumed orally, but can also be administered through injection and inhalation, although this is rare. __ Effects: __ Alcohol is a depressant. Within a short amount of time after drinking alcohol, a person may feel more relaxed and sociable. They may become more outgoing and experience lowered inhibitions. These feelings will after short time be replaced by sedation and drowsiness as the alcohol is eliminated from the body. This in turn may lead the person to drink more alcohol to maintain the pleasant feelings, or “buzz”. When overdose occurs death usually occurs from respiratory depression. Binge drinking is particularly dangerous as it can lead to an accidental overdose or death from asphyxiation.

__ Dangerous Combinations: __ It is dangerous to combine alcohol with other depressants or sedative hypnotics. This includes drugs such as opiates, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and cold medications and antihistamines. All depressants share at least some of alcohol’s effects and can become deadly when combined.

__Accidents and Suicide__: Many users are injured due to trauma from use of alcohol resulting from accidents. Sometimes, a person may not even realize that they are injured until the alcohol wears off. Violence, often in the form of “bar fights” may increase, typically because the assailant has been using alcohol and is experiencing high levels of disinhibition.

__ Toxicity: __ Long term alcohol abuse will damage the brain. Studies have shown shrinking brain matter, usually connected with regions associated with memory. Chronic consumption of alcohol can result in three types of liver disease: hepatitis, fatty liver, and cirrhosis. Cardiovascular problems and cancer may also be influenced by consumption of alcohol.

(Kuhn, Swartzwelder, and Wilson, 2003) (Levinthal, 2010).

(Insider Vancouver, 2011)


 * Solvents**[[image:blurred-vision-admh-2011/angelasniff4.jpg width="216" height="153" align="right"]]

Solvents produce effects similar to those of alcohol, with stimulation, loss of inhibitions, and mild euphoria, followed by depression.

__ Route of Administration: __ Inhalation of gaseous or vaporous substances. The process of inhalation or huffing involves soaking rags with the chemical and breathing through the rags or putting the substance into a cup or bag and breathing in the fumes of the solvent substance. Inhalation produces rapid effects as the substance reaches the brain quickly. Common solvents include glue, gasoline, spray paint, lighter fluid and propane.

__ Effects: __ Serious solvent intoxication is like that of alcohol, with loss of muscular coordination, abdominal pain, nausea, headache and vomiting. Many inhaled solvents are also flammable substances so there is a risk of burns. With solvent use risk of lethal overdose is considerable. Death usually occurs to cardiac arrhythmia or due to lack of oxygen or respiratory depression. A significant number of people who experience lethal overdose are first time users of solvents. The most dangerous effect is sudden death which occurs most frequently with use of substances like coolants and propellants, and fuels such as butane and propane.

__ Dangerous Combinations: __ It is dangerous to combine solvents with other sedative hypnotics. This includes alcohol and other sedative drugs such as opiates, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and cold medications and antihistamines.

__Accidents and Suicide__: Many users are injured due to trauma from use of solvents resulting from accidents. Loss of muscular coordination makes a variety of accidents more likely, and because many of the chemicals are highly flammable, the risk of serious burns is also high.

__ Toxicity: __ Solvents are highly toxic. There is evidence to say that use of solvents can cause permanent brain damage. Long term use of solvents can cause damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, blood, and more areas of the body. Solvents are the most toxic abused substance and are never meant for human consumption.

(Kuhn, Swartzwelder, and Wilson, 2003)