Inhalants Withdrawal Symptoms
Inhalant withdrawal can cause symptoms like anxiety, tremors, and nausea. Medical assessment can address potential health risks and help plan appropriate care.
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What Is Inhalants Withdrawal?
A withdrawal period is a series of mental and physical changes your body experiences when you stop taking a substance you’ve become dependent on. Developing dependence means that you need to keep using a substance on a regular basis to function.
Fast Facts About Inhalant Withdrawal
Care needs depend on the substance, symptoms and pattern of use.
That said, it’s not 100% clear if physical dependence is what causes inhalant withdrawal symptoms.
What Causes Inhalants Withdrawal?
There is some debate about what causes inhalant withdrawal symptoms – or if a distinct withdrawal syndrome for inhalants even exists. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) 5 doesn’t include withdrawals as criteria for inhalant use disorder.[5]
If you experience unpleasant symptoms after quitting inhalants, it might not be due to withdrawal. For example, while many people do experience headaches after quitting inhalants, it could be a result of tissue damage from the chemicals.
Inhalants encompass thousands of chemical compounds, rather than one drug with a predictable withdrawal pattern. A study of inhalant-use diagnosis notes that withdrawal symptoms may differ by substance and that a distinct symptom pattern has not been established.[5]
What Inhalants Most Commonly Cause Withdrawals?
A 2023 review published in The Permanente Journal indicates that two main inhalant categories may be more likely to cause withdrawal symptoms – volatile solvents and gases.[6]
Volatile solvents are liquids that vaporize into gases at room temperature.
You can find them in products like:
- Spray paint
- Paint thinner or remover
- Lighter fluid
- Fast-drying glue
- Gasoline
- Degreaser
- Felt tip markers
- Rubber cement
- Nail polish remover
- Correction fluid (White Out)
Gases and aerosols used as inhalants include both medical anesthetics and household products, including the following:
- Butane lighters
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
- Chloroform
- Halothane
- Propane
- Refrigerants
Common Inhalants Withdrawal Symptoms
There isn’t a universal set of withdrawal symptoms for inhalants. But according to research, some of the most commonly reported symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Depression
- Appetite or weight changes
- Excessive sleeping or sleep disturbances
- Sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tiredness and weakness
- Vivid dreams
- Rapid heartbeat
- Runny nose or eyes
- Cravings
A 2011 analysis of a U.S. adult survey collected in 2001–2002 found that 47.8% of the inhalant-dependence group reported three or more withdrawal symptoms, with at least two considered clinically significant, meaning they caused substantial distress or interference with daily life.[7]
The study used the Alcohol Use Disorders and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule (AUDADIS-IV) and the older DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Its inhalant-dependence group included only 21 people, making the estimate imprecise.[7] This was a research measure, not a current self-diagnosis rule.[7]
A clinical review describes hallucinations and seizures among possible withdrawal symptoms after repeated volatile solvent or gas use. Medical assessment can help identify care needs. Serious symptoms still require emergency help. Call 911 for a seizure, unconsciousness or trouble breathing, following emergency poisoning guidance.[6][9]
How Do People Safely Withdraw from Inhalants?
Since inhalant withdrawal isn’t as widely studied or well-understood as withdrawals for other drugs, there isn’t a standardized medical detox or tapering schedule for them. That said, getting help is still important if you’re experiencing unpleasant symptoms.
The 2023 clinical review describes suggested treatments and small reports, not a proven medication schedule for everyone. It discusses overlap in how the body adapts to inhalants and alcohol, called cross-tolerance, as a reason clinicians have considered medicines also used for alcohol withdrawal. This is not a reason to use alcohol or sedatives on your own.[6]
The evidence differs by medicine:
- Benzodiazepines have been suggested for clinician-managed withdrawal.
- The review’s phenobarbital finding, involving a barbiturate, came from an animal study.
- Baclofen was reported in a small case series, a description of a few patients.
These findings do not establish a routine prescription for inhalant withdrawal. A clinician may treat a specific diagnosed condition or serious psychiatric symptom, such as psychosis, involving hallucinations or beliefs disconnected from reality. Antipsychotic medicines are not general self-treatment for anxiety or depression during withdrawal. The review distinguishes symptom-specific treatment from evidence about reducing inhalant use.
Additional Support During Inhalants Withdrawals
Beyond medical interventions, therapy can also be an effective way to address the mental and social effects of inhalant addiction. You can go through therapy during or after withdrawal.
Treatment may include:
Get Help for Inhalant Addiction
If you or a loved one is struggling with inhalant abuse, don’t wait to seek help. Inhalant addiction can have serious health consequences, but recovery is possible with the proper support.
Visit our Treatment Help Page to explore addiction treatment options, find the right rehab program, and take the first step toward a healthier, drug-free life.
For emotional distress or a suicidal crisis in the United States, call 988 or text 988. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911.[10]
FAQs About Inhalants Withdrawal Symptoms
How Long Do Withdrawal Symptoms from Inhalants Last?
Since inhalants are under-studied and the cause of withdrawal symptoms isn’t well-understood, there isn’t a lot of information about the timeline of inhalant withdrawal or when symptoms peak.
Can You Get Withdrawals from Inhalant Abuse?
Yes. Withdrawals aren’t an official part of the diagnosis for inhalant use disorder, although some research links quitting inhalants to unpleasant symptoms.
What Are the Main Withdrawal Symptoms from Inhalants?
Reported symptoms include headaches, anxiety, depression, cravings, nausea, vomiting and sleep difficulties. A 2015 study discusses headaches as the most prevalent symptom in one earlier sample, while another study found excessive sleeping and fatigue were more common. There is no single symptom ranking for all inhalants or all people.[5]
A clinical review also describes seizures and hallucinations after repeated volatile solvent or gas use. Call 911 for a seizure, unconsciousness or trouble breathing. These require emergency help.[6][9]
What Are Common Household Inhalants That Can Lead to Addiction?
Commonly abused household inhalant products include spray paint, paint thinner, quick-drying glue, lighter fluid, nail polish removers, and felt-tip markers.
Get Treatment Help
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