Volatile Substance Misuse FAQ

Volatile substances (also known as solvents or inhalants) are products that give off fumes or vapours at room temperature which are sometimes misused by being inhaled through the mouth or nose to induce an intoxicated state. They include a broad range of domestic products, including fuels, solvents, aerosols, glues, adhesives and paint thinners.

The compounds contained in these products are all very different and have few characteristics in common. As such, they are usually classified into the following groups:

• Volatile solvents – liquids or semi-solids such as petrol, glue or paint thinner that vaporise at room temperature. 
• Aerosols – propellant gases and solvents contained in spray-cans.
• Gases – medical anaesthetics such as nitrous oxide, often referred to as ‘laughing gas’, as well as gases used in household or commercial products. 
• Nitrites – unlike most other VS, which are used to alter mood, nitrites have been used primarily as sexual enhancers. They dilate the blood vessels, increasing heart rate and relaxing the muscles, rather than acting directly on the central nervous system.

Nitrous oxide and nitrites are associated with different sets of harms when compared with volatile solvents and aerosols.

More than 1,000 household, shop, office, and industrial products may be inhaled for their intoxicating effects and are regarded as volatile substances.  Some of these include the following:

• Volatile solvents – glue, nail polish remover, paint thinner, correction fluid and thinner, lighter fluid, petrol, permanent markers, fabric protector and dry-cleaning fluid.
• Aerosols – spray paint, hair spray, air freshener, deodorant, and vegetable cooking spray.
• Gases – nitrous oxide, butane, propane, freon and halon.
• Nitrites – amyl nitrite and butyl nitrite.

It is important to note that questions in most Australian studies examining the misuse of this group of products refer to them as ‘inhalants’. According to the latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) the number of Australian aged 14 years or over reporting ever having used inhalants has risen over time (from 2.6% in 2002 to 5.6% in 2022-2023). Far fewer reported using in the past 12 months. Gay, lesbian, and bisexual people were more likely to have used inhalants in the previous 12 months than heterosexual people. This is likely due to the use of nitrites during sexual activity by men who have sex with men.

The Australian Secondary Student’s Alcohol and Drug (ASSAD) Survey explores adolescent substance use and provides limited data on inhalant use amongst school-based young people. Primary school-aged children are not included in this study, as well as those who have left mainstream education and may potentially be at higher risk of VSM.

The 2022-2023 ASSAD Survey of 11,145 Australian students reported that one in five (20.3%) 12-17-year-old students reported “everyday use of inhalants (e.g. deliberately sniffing from spray cans or deliberately sniffing things like glue, paint, petrol, thinners, nangs or poppers in order to get high or for the way it makes them feel)”. This was a significantly higher proportion compared to 2014 (20% vs 16%).

A unique feature of the misuse of these products is that use typically decreases with age, i.e., the older you are the less likely you are to experiment. The previous ASSAD Survey, conducted in 2017, suggested that this may have been changing and although levels of use continued to be lower amongst older students at that time (15% at 17 years compared to 19% at 12) this was markedly different to those reported in 2002 (when 26% of 12-year-olds reported lifetime use, compared to only 12% of 17-years-olds). This change was believed to be due to the increasing popularity of specific VS products such as nitrous oxide and amyl nitrate amongst Australian teens.

According to the 2022-2023 NDSHS Survey, products such as nitrous oxide and amyl nitrate and other nitrates were the most likely to have been misused (56.2% and 60.5% respectively) by those who used inhalants. Fewer reported the misuse of aerosols (9.4%) or other volatile solvents (4.4%), with smaller numbers using fuel and refrigerant gases (2.8%) and petrol (0.9%).

Although there is limited data on what products are intentionally misused for the purpose of intoxication by younger Australians, current evidence indicates that apart from nitrous oxide and nitrates, aerosol deodorants and spray paint appear to be the most common substances misused by Australian children and young people. In rural and remote communities, it is more likely to be petrol.

Although similar, there are some significant differences related to the misuse of these products when compared to other alcohol and other drug (AOD) use.

Most importantly, younger children are more likely to experiment with these products, with use typically decreasing as they get older. This is unique, so whereas the number of teens reporting alcohol use increases as they age, the opposite is true with VSM, i.e., the older you get, the less likely you are to experiment. This is likely due to these products being relatively cheap, easy to access and legal. As a result, many of the barriers to potential use for legal and illicit drugs do not apply to these products. Younger children’s lack of access to other substances could also play a part, as research suggests that once other drugs like cannabis can be sourced the use of VS ceases.

In addition, in most cases VSM is a ‘transient phenomenon’. Most young people who misuse these products do so only a few times and rarely move on to regular or problematic use. Chronic use does occur, however, and deaths have been reported amongst young, experimental users, even after one time.

When misused, these products provide an immediate ‘high’, typically lasting between 1-5 minutes. The effect is often described as feeling ‘drunk’, with hallucinations, euphoria and disinhibition often reported. This rapid onset of intoxication combined with a relatively quick recovery can make the misuse of these products more attractive to young people.

Nearly all VS, other than nitrites, cause intoxication by slowing down the central nervous system (CSM). After inhalation, the compounds in these products are absorbed through the lungs and travel quickly to the brain. This produces an immediate and brief intoxication.

Although much shorter-lasting, inhaling these compounds affects the brain in ways similar to depressants such as alcohol.

Hydrocarbons are organic compounds consisting primarily of hydrogen and carbon. Many household products, including pressurised aerosols such as deodorants, shaving cream and hair spray, require hydrocarbons for their propellant effect. It is the hydrocarbon propellant that causes the intoxication users experience if they engage in VSM. Intentionally inhaling hydrocarbon fumes, regardless of the product being propelled, causes the central nervous system (CNS) to slow down, causing confusion, disorientation, disinhibition and euphoria, i.e., the ‘high’.

The vapours from the products are inhaled via the nose and/or the mouth. This can be done in several ways, including the following:

• Sniffing fumes directly from container
• Spraying product directly into the mouth
• Inhaling deeply (or ‘huffing’) from a rag or something soaked with the product
• Spraying the product directly into a plastic or paper bag and then inhaling out of it
• Product sprayed or painted on clothing or fingernails and sniffed

Due to the short-acting effect, the fumes are often inhaled repeatedly over several hours to maintain the ‘high’. With continued use the disorienting effects of these products can lead to one of the greatest risks associated with VSM – accidental injuries. In addition, continued use increases the risk of a loss of consciousness and death, often related to choking on their own vomit.

One of the most concerning aspects of VSM is that even short-term misuse can lead to serious, sometimes fatal consequences. The inhalation of the fumes can deprive the body of oxygen leading to cardiac or respiratory failure. An abrupt fatality of this kind is referred to as ‘sudden sniffing death’ syndrome.

Deaths, as well as injuries, can also be due to accidents linked to the disorienting effects associated with VSM. These can be due to fire or explosion relating to the flammable nature of these products; reckless behaviour whilst intoxicated and disinhibited; choking on vomit when unconscious; and suffocation while using plastic bags or other containers to inhale the fumes.
Some of the reported short-term effects of VSM include:

• Headaches, nausea, vomiting
• Loss of balance and dizziness
• Slurred and slow speech
• Mood changes
• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Coma

Long-term, chronic misuse can cause serious harm to major organs, including the brain, heart, lungs and kidneys. Some of the other reported harms associated with misusing these products over a long period of time include:

• Loss of concentration
• Memory loss
• Loss of hearing and smell
• Muscle spasms
• Long-lasting or even irreversible brain damage

Many of these products contain toxic chemicals and there have been reports of brain damage linked to their misuse. This is most likely to occur, however, when there has been heavy and long-term use. In these cases the toxic effect can be widespread and cause long-lasting and even irreversible damage not only to the brain but also other parts of the nervous system.

Some studies have reported that long-term VSM can also impact nerve fibres and their capacity to carry messages quickly and efficiently. This can affect parts of the brain involved in controlling cognition, movement, vision, and hearing. This can lead to muscle spasms and tremors or even permanent difficulty with basic actions like walking, bending, and talking.

When VSM ceases, however, recovery of brain function appears to be possible in those who have not incurred a certain level of damage. This improvement or potentially even complete recovery from VSM-related brain impairment with abstinence is an important message to reinforce with chronic users.

‘Sudden sniffing death’ refers to an abrupt death, often in minutes, caused by the misuse of these products. Most of these fatalities are caused by heart failure arising from an irregular heartbeat and can occur even in those experimenting with volatile substances for the first time. This is particularly true for butane, propane and other aerosol propellants.

Many deaths linked to SSD occur after the person misusing the product is startled or involved in strenuous activity or exercise. VSM can cause the heart to become more sensitive to adrenaline, which the body naturally releases in response to stressful situations. If caught off guard or surprised after inhalation the heart can be overwhelmed leading to cardiac and/or respiratory arrest.

SSD can also be caused by asphyxiation or suffocation. When misused, the fumes can replace oxygen in the blood, causing breathing to be adversely affected and potential death.

An Australian study reported that between 2000 and 2021, 164 deaths were associated with “inhalant misuse”. While 28% involved teenagers, the majority (65%) were aged between 20 and 39, and 9% were over 40. The most frequent cause of death was unintentional toxicity (61%). In 20% of cases, death was due to asphyxia. The most frequently used products involved in these fatalities were gas fuels (35%), followed by petrol (20%), adhesives/paints (20%) and aerosol propellants (13%).

‘Huffing’ involves the product being soaked into a rag or cloth, or even an article of clothing, often by spraying its contents directly onto it. This is then placed over the mouth or nose and inhaled. This is done to try to intensify the effects, as well as prevent waste of the product.

All volatile substance use is potentially very dangerous but huffing is particularly problematic. Misusing the product in this way increases the risk of something going wrong. If the rag blocks the mouth there is a very real risk of suffocation, or they could choke on their own vomit.

Although it is now used far more broadly to include the misuse of all volatile substances, particularly aerosols, chroming originally referred to a very specific form of VSM. The term, believed to originate in Australia in the late 1990s, involved the practice of spraying chrome or metallic paint from an aerosol can into a plastic or paper bag and then breathing in the vapours.

In 2023, chroming hit the headlines due to a viral social media trend using the term, challenging young people to inhale fumes from VS products. Interestingly, none of these appeared to involve the specific use of chrome-based products, further reinforcing the broader use of this term.

Although chroming originally referred to the misuse of chrome or metallic paints, this social media challenge encouraged individuals to inhale one of a range of volatile substances, including the contents of an aerosol can and nail polish remover. Challengers then recorded themselves inhaling the product, posting their video to TikTok using one of several hashtags.

As with other viral challenges, participation by young people is often motivated by the desire for social media popularity as well as the allure of TikTok trends. This is one of the most dangerous viral challenges, however, and unfortunately has been a contributing factor in the death of some young people across the world.

‘Rexing’ is a term used to describe the deliberate inhalation of a particular brand of deodorant sold in aerosol form. It is unclear why this product is preferred over other available aerosols, particularly as it uses the same hydrocarbons as a propellant as other brands on the market.

‘Rexing’ is a term used to describe the deliberate inhalation of a particular brand of deodorant sold in aerosol form. It is unclear why this product is preferred over other available aerosols, particularly as it uses the same hydrocarbons as a propellant as other brands on the market.

• Paint or stains on body or clothing
• Spots, sores or irritations around the nose and mouth
• Red or runny eyes or nose
• Chemical breath smell or unusual odour on clothing

Specific behaviours teachers may identify in students may include:

• Sitting with a pen or marker near nose
• Constantly smelling clothing sleeves
• Showing paint or stain marks on the face, fingers, or clothing
• Hiding rags, clothes, or empty containers of products in desks or lockers

It is important that teachers do not jump to conclusions, but other changes in behaviour that may be related to potential VSM include:

• Drunk, dazed or dizzy appearance
• Slurred or disoriented speech
• Nausea and headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Anxiety, excitability, irritability

Nitrous oxide is a colourless gas that has a slightly sweet smell and taste. It has anaesthetic and pain-relieving properties and is commonly used by dentists and other medical professionals to sedate patients who are undergoing minor medical procedures. It is also offered to women during childbirth.

The automotive industry uses the gas to enhance engine performance and, when used for medical and industrial purposes, nitrous oxide is typically purchased in full-sized gas cylinders.

It can also act as a food additive and be used as a propellant to help whip cream. When used in this way, the gas usually comes in small chargers or bulbs which are single use, finger-sized steel cartridges that contain around 8g of highly pressurised nitrous oxide. These are often referred to as ‘nangs’.

Nitrous oxide is relatively cheap and readily available. People inhale it for the almost immediate euphoric and relaxant effects, beginning within seconds of inhaling the gas and lasting around two minutes. People who inhale nitrous report there is no hangover effect after the intoxication period has ended.

Nitrous oxide can cause serious harm if it is misused. In recent years health experts have called for tighter restrictions on the sale of the gas cartridges, due to the potential risk of a range of harms, including neurological damage.

On 1 October 2022, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) reclassified nitrous oxide as a Schedule 6 poison, which means product labels must contain warnings and safety directions. Some states, including WA and SA, have already introduced restrictions on purchasing nitrous oxide, such as age limits. Others, such as NSW, are currently consulting on regulatory measures to restrict the sale and reduce access to the product.

Nitrous oxide was first produced in 1772 by an English chemist and it quickly became more commonly referred to as ‘laughing gas’ due to its unique effects. When inhaled it almost immediately causes a very brief ‘high’, usually lasting for around 30 to 90 seconds, with some reporting it feels like they’re floating or feeling drunk. It can also result in fits of giggles and laughter.

In the late 1700s the gas became fashionable amongst the rich and powerful, resulting in ‘laughing gas parties’ being held. Nitrous even became a popular public entertainment for a period of time, with the gas transported to fairs and fetes and people in the audience paying money for the opportunity to get onto a stage and inhale the gas and experience its effects.

The act of inhaling nitrous oxide from whipped cream cartridges is known as ‘nanging’, with the chargers or bulbs containing the gas being called ‘nangs’. Most young people who misuse nitrous oxide purchase the gas in small, pressurised canisters (chargers, bulbs, whippets or nangs) designed for use in the food industry, namely for whipping cream. The pressurised gas is typically released into a balloon by puncturing the bulb. The user then inhales the gas from the balloon to get the desired effect.

Nitrous oxide use can cause sound to be distorted. The term ‘nanging’ is believed to have originated from a description of the repetitive sound distortions, sometimes likened to ringing in the ears, that some people hear when using nitrous oxide.

There are a range of harms associated with the misuse of nitrous oxide including:

• Injuries associated with inhaling: the gas is intensely cold and if inhaled directly from the bulb, there is a risk of frostbite to the mouth, nose, lips and vocal cords. In addition, the gas leaves the bulb under high pressure and can cause injury to lung tissue if inhaled directly. This is why the gas is often dispelled into a balloon prior to inhalation.
• Accidents and falls: in high doses, the user may become less aware of pain and the environment around them. Lack of oxygen can lead to dizziness and disorientation and injury from tripping and falling.
• Nerve damage: heavy or prolonged use can lead to a depletion of vitamin B12 resulting in numbness in the fingers and toes. If left untreated this can progress to long-term nerve damage.
• Asphyxiation: deaths have been caused by exhaling and re-inhaling the gas from balloons in an attempt to extend intoxication, by inhaling it by placing a bag over their head or by opening an industrial-sized gas cylinder containing nitrous in an enclosed space (i.e., in a car).

As with any drug, legal, illegal or pharmaceutical, the use of nitrous oxide is not risk-free. Whilst deaths involving nitrous oxide are rare, they can happen.

‘Jungle Juice’ is one of the brand or product names for a group of drugs known as ‘nitrites’, and usually refers to one in particular – amyl nitrite. Nitrites are also sometimes referred to as ‘poppers’, although young people who use this liquid are far more likely to call it by its brand or product name – with the most likely of these being ‘Jungle Juice’.

Amyl nitrite or ‘amyl’ as it is often called is a liquid that is clear or yellowish in colour. It has a very unique smell that’s sometimes described as ‘dirty socks’. It’s bought in small glass bottles and is usually used by holding an open bottle close to the nose or mouth and inhaling the vapour or fumes.

Nitrites act as a vasodilator – that means they dilate, or widen, blood vessels. When someone inhales the fumes of the liquid it causes more blood to enter the brain, resulting in increased body temperature, dizziness, flushing of the face and, most importantly an intense ‘head rush’. The effects, as with most volatile substances, come on almost immediately but only last for a very short time.

Inhaling or ‘snorting’ nitrite products like ‘Jungle Juice’ can cause a range of unpleasant side effects including nausea, nose bleeds and blurred vision. Headaches are the most commonly reported negative effect and is one of the main reasons people stop using the drug. Frequent use over a short period of time can cause sores and rashes around the mouth and/or nose, whilst direct contact with the skin can cause burns. Most importantly, amyl nitrite must never be drunk. When ingested orally, rather than inhaling the drug, a molecule called methaemoglobin can be formed. This can interfere with the ability of the blood to transport oxygen and can lead to death.

Although people may inhale the gas to make their voice change, helium does not cause intoxication, and is therefore not classified as a volatile substance. It is an ‘inert gas’, meaning that it does not form chemical reactions with other chemical substances and therefore does not form chemical compounds.

Although it may seem harmless, inhaling helium can be dangerous and can cause death. As with the inhalation of any gas, oxygen is displaced, resulting in the person only receiving helium. The more pure helium inhaled, the longer the body is without crucial oxygen. Breathing in pure helium can cause death by asphyxiation in just minutes. This is unlikely to occur when inhaling the gas from a balloon but it is not impossible. There have been cases of people, particularly young children, dying from asphyxiation after inhaling helium from a balloon.