Sniffing (inhalants)
Key facts
- Inhalants are chemical substances that release fumes at room temperature.
- Some people breathe in or 'sniff' some types of these substances to feel a 'high'.
- There is no safe level of inhalant use — any level of drug use, including 'sniffing' carries risks.
- If someone overdoses on inhalants, they may experience an irregular heartbeat, chest pain and unconsciousness.
- Sniffing carries long-term risks including memory problems, mood changes and brain damage.
What are inhalants?
Inhalants are chemicals that release fumes (gas) at regular room temperature. Some people breathe in or 'sniff' some types of these substances (chemicals) to feel a 'high'. This type of drug use is sometimes known as 'sniffing', 'chroming' or 'huffing'.
Inhalants may be common industrial, medicinal and household products. These include solvents and other chemicals that evaporate (become gas) easily.
Substances that are commonly sniffed include:
- glue
- petrol
- paint
What are the effects of sniffing inhalants?
There is no safe level of inhalant use.
When these fumes are inhaled, they enter the lungs and are absorbed into the blood. This can cause intoxication, similar to the effects of alcohol.
Risks vary depending on the type of inhalants you sniff. They affect people differently including, but may include:
- feelings of excitement and euphoria (extreme happiness)
- feeling relaxed
- increased risk-taking
- poor coordination
- light-headedness, dizziness or confusion
- nausea or headaches
- irritation to the eyes, nose or throat
Sudden sniffing death (SSD) is rare but can happen after using certain aerosol inhalants.
Driving under the influence of inhalants
Driving under the influence of inhalant drugs puts you, your passengers, and other road users at risk. This is because they can affect your vision, coordination and reaction times.
What can go wrong when sniffing inhalants?
If you or someone else is experiencing serious effects from sniffing or has overdosed, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
If you sniff inhalants, you are at risk of an overdose.
If you use too much of an inhalant, you might overdose. This is also called 'acute intoxication'.
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- irregular heartbeat
- chest pain
- nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- delirium (confused thinking)
- hallucinations (seeing things that aren't there)
- coma, blackout or seizure
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
Can sniffing cause long-term problems?
Frequent use of sniffing carries long-term risks, including:
- a skin rash around the mouth
- tremors
- loss of your sense of taste and smell
- reduced memory and concentration
- mood changes
- brain damage
- kidney or liver damage
Depending on the substance you sniff, some of these effects may cause permanent damage.
Can I become dependent on inhalants?
If you use inhalants often, you can become dependent on them. You may also build a tolerance, meaning you need to use more inhalants to get the same effect.
What if I use other drugs or alcohol together with inhalants?
Mixing inhalant use with other drugs can cause unpredictable effects and raise the risk of harm. Inhalants taken with alcohol, benzodiazepines (medicines for sleep or anxiety), or opioids (medicines sometimes used for pain) can slow breathing and increase the risk of fainting or suffocating.
A pharmacist can help you understand the effects of mixing different medicines or drugs.
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
How can I stop using inhalants?
Giving up inhalants can be difficult and you may expedience withdrawal symptoms, such as:
- headache
- nausea
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- tremors
- hallucinations (seeing things that aren't there)
These symptoms may start within 1 or 2 days after stopping inhalants and may continue for up to 5 days.
Drug rehabilitation services ('rehab') can help you when you have a problem. They offer a range of therapies, including treatment, counselling and support. This means you don't have to do it alone.
Read about drug and alcohol rehabilitation for more information and where you can get help.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.
Resources and support
Your Room has a fact sheet about inhalants and where you can get help.
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation has more information about inhalants. You can also call their drug information and advice line on 1300 85 85 84 for advice and support.
If you are worried about your own or someone else's drug use, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation Path2Help can help you find local resources to help.
Young people can contact Headspace on 1800 650 890 for help. Qualified youth counsellors offer a range of support for young people who are worried about their drug and alcohol use, mental or physical wellbeing. Find a map of centres offering these services.
Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?
Visit the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council for links to Aboriginal community controlled health services across NSW.
The Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Residential Rehabilitation Network (ADARRN) offers rehabilitation services throughout Australia. They specifically address the needs of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, with services including residential treatment interventions for drug-related issues.
Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?
The Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (DAMEC) provides services in many community languages. For counselling and support call (02) 8706 0150.
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Last reviewed: October 2024
