DRE: Inhalants

Question 1

Subcategories of Inhalants

Answer 1

volatile solvents, aerosols and anesthetic gases

Question 2

Describe volatile solvents

Answer 2

a. The Volatile Solvents include a large number of readily available substances, none of which are intended by their manufacturers to be used as drugs.
b. “Volatile” means they evaporate easily to produce fumes
c. A widely abused Volatile Substance is plastic cement or “model airplane glue.”

Question 3

Give some examples of volatile substances

Answer 3

i. Toluene
ii. Acetone
iii. Naphtha
iv. Aliphatic Acetates (straight-chained hydrocarbons)
v. Hexane
vi. Cyclohexane
vii. Benzene
d. Other frequently abused Volatile Solvents:
i. Fingernail polish remover (contains Acetone)
ii. Household cements and glues (rubber cements contain Benzene)
iii. Lighter fluid (contains Naphtha)
e. Petroleum products:
i. Various glues (model airplane glue)
ii. Gasoline
iii. Kerosene

Question 4

Describe aerosols

Answer 4

a. Aerosols are chemicals discharged from a pressurized container by the propellant force of a compressed gas.
c. All of these abused Aerosols contain various hydrocarbon gases that produce drug effects.

Question 5

Give some examples of aerosols

Answer 5

b. Commonly-abused Aerosols include hair sprays, deodorants, insecticides, glass chillers (freeze spray), and vegetable frying pan lubricants.

Question 6

Describe anesthetic gases

Answer 6

a. The third subcategory is Anesthetic Gases. Anesthetic Gases are drugs that abolish pain. They are used medically during surgical procedures such as childbirth, dental surgery, etc.

Question 7

Give examples of anesthetic gases

Answer 7

i. Ether
ii. Nitrous Oxide
iii. Amyl Nitrite
iv. Butyl Nitrite (Isobutyl Nitrite)

Question 8

Onset and Duration of Effects: Inhalants

Answer 8

1. Inhalants’ effects are felt virtually immediately.
2. Duration depends on the particular substance.
   a. The effects of Nitrous Oxide last 5 minutes or less
   b. Amyl Nitrite and Isobutyl Nitrite produce effects that last a few seconds up to 20 minutes
3. Users claim these substances enhance sexual excitement. This may occur from dilation of genital arteries (vasodilation) and relaxation of other smooth muscles.

Question 9

What are some of the principal active ingredients in many Volatile Substances?

Answer 9

Toluene, Acetone, Naphtha, Aliphatic Acetates, Hexane, Cyclohexane, Benzene

Question 10

In what important respect do the effects of Anesthetic Gases differ from the effects of Volatile Solvents and Aerosols?

Answer 10

Anesthetic gases lower blood pressure while keeping the pulse rate elevated, Volatile Solvents and Aerosols elevate blood pressure and pulse.

Question 11

Do any of the subcategories of Inhalants cause pulse rate to decrease?

Answer 11

no

Question 12

The effects of Amyl Nitrite and Butyl Nitrite last from a few seconds to up to ______ minutes.

Answer 12

20