Inhalants: Risks, Effects, and Local Help in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Inhalant misuse is a serious concern among teens and young adults in communities across West Michigan, including Grand Rapids. Understanding what inhalants are, how they affect the body, and where to get help locally can save lives.

What Are Inhalants?

Inhalants are chemical substances that give off fumes or vapors at room temperature. When these fumes are deliberately breathed in (inhaled), they can produce:

  • Feelings of euphoria or a “high”
  • Effects similar to alcohol intoxication
  • Serious harm to the brain and body
  • In some cases, sudden death

Inhalants are also called volatile substances or solvents. Most are legal, everyday household products that become dangerous when misused.

Common categories of inhalants include:

  • Solvents

    • Glue and adhesives
    • Paint and paint thinners
    • Nail polish and nail polish remover
    • Cleaning fluids and degreasers
    • Correction fluid and some felt-tip markers

  • Aerosols

    • Spray paint (often used in “chroming”)
    • Hair spray
    • Deodorant sprays
    • Cooking sprays
    • Household cleaners in spray cans

  • Gases

    • Butane (from lighters and some camping or grill fuel)
    • Propane
    • Gasoline (petrol sniffing)
    • Nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) from whipped cream chargers or medical sources

  • Nitrites (alkyl nitrites or “poppers”)

    • Amyl nitrite
    • Butyl nitrite
    • Isobutyl nitrite

Who Uses Inhalants?

Inhalant use is most common among younger teenagers, often in the early years of middle and high school. National surveys have found that:

  • Many teens who try inhalants do so only once or a few times
  • Some use inhalants like nitrous oxide or nitrites at parties or social events to intensify their experience

In Grand Rapids, inhalant misuse may go unnoticed because the products are legal and easy to find at:

  • Hardware stores
  • Grocery stores
  • Gas stations
  • Convenience stores

Parents, caregivers, and educators in Kent County should be aware that sudden changes in behavior, smells of chemicals on clothing, or finding empty spray cans or rags may be warning signs.

Common Forms of Inhalant Misuse

Chroming (Spray Paint Inhalation)

“Chroming” refers to inhaling spray paint, often metallic or “chrome” colors. A common method is:

  1. Spraying paint into a plastic bag, cloth, or onto a sleeve
  2. Placing the bag or cloth over the mouth and nose
  3. Breathing in the concentrated fumes

Chroming is particularly dangerous because:

  • It delivers a high dose of toxic chemicals very quickly
  • It can lead to sudden death, even the first time it’s tried
  • It can cause permanent brain and nerve damage

Petrol (Gasoline) Sniffing

Gasoline sniffing typically involves:

  • Pouring a small amount of fuel into a container
  • Inhaling the vapors directly from the container or a soaked cloth

Some people experiment occasionally, but chronic sniffers use gasoline regularly and intensively. Long-term gasoline sniffing is linked to:

  • Severe brain damage
  • Liver and kidney damage
  • Behavior changes and learning difficulties

Nitrous Oxide (“Laughing Gas”)

Nitrous oxide is misused by:

  • Inhaling from balloons filled from whipped cream chargers (“whippets”)
  • Misusing medical-grade nitrous oxide outside of supervised care

Short-term effects include:

  • A rapid rush of euphoria
  • A floating or “out-of-body” feeling
  • Brief dizziness or laughter

However, inhaling large amounts or using nitrous oxide repeatedly can cause:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Dangerous drops in blood pressure
  • Irregular heart rhythms
  • Lack of oxygen (hypoxia), which can be fatal
  • Long-term nerve and brain damage
  • Memory problems and incontinence with prolonged heavy use

How Inhalants Affect the Brain and Body

Inhalants Are Nervous System Depressants

Most inhalants act as central nervous system depressants, meaning they slow down brain activity. When inhaled:

  1. Fumes enter the lungs
  2. Chemicals quickly pass into the bloodstream
  3. They travel directly to the brain and other organs

Because this happens so fast, the effects appear within seconds and may last from a few minutes up to an hour, depending on the substance and amount used.

Short-Term Effects of Inhalants

Short-term effects can resemble alcohol intoxication but often come on more quickly. They may include:

  • Feelings of excitement and euphoria
  • Reduced inhibitions and risk-taking behavior
  • Dizziness and light-headedness
  • Loss of coordination and clumsiness
  • Slurred speech
  • Blurred vision
  • Headache
  • Sneezing, coughing, or a runny nose
  • Watery, irritated eyes
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Nosebleeds

High doses can cause:

  • Confusion and disorientation
  • Hallucinations
  • Extreme drowsiness
  • Fainting
  • Seizures
  • Coma

Inhalant overdose can occur even in first-time users. Symptoms of overdose may include:

  • Extreme dizziness and confusion
  • Hallucinations
  • Severe drowsiness or inability to stay awake
  • Slow or irregular breathing
  • Blue lips or fingertips (signs of low oxygen)
  • Loss of consciousness or coma

Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome

Some inhalant-related deaths are due to “sudden sniffing death syndrome”, a type of sudden heart failure that can occur:

  • During or shortly after inhalant use
  • Especially if the person becomes frightened, startled, or physically active (running, fighting, etc.)

Even a young, healthy person can experience sudden sniffing death the first time they use inhalants.

Other Fatal Risks

Inhalant use can also lead to death by:

  • Suffocation – using a plastic bag over the head or inhaling in a small, enclosed space with little oxygen
  • Choking on vomit – especially when passed out
  • Accidents and injuries – such as falls, drowning, or jumping from heights while intoxicated

Long-Term Health Effects of Inhalant Use

Using inhalants regularly or over a long period can cause serious, sometimes permanent damage. Long-term effects may include:

  • Brain damage

    • Memory problems
    • Difficulty concentrating and learning
    • Slower thinking and reaction times
    • Poor coordination and balance

  • Mental health issues

    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Irritability and mood swings
    • Psychosis (losing touch with reality, hallucinations, paranoia)

  • Nervous system damage

    • Muscle tremors and weakness
    • Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
    • Problems with walking or fine motor skills

  • Organ damage

    • Liver damage
    • Kidney damage
    • Bone marrow damage leading to anaemia

  • Other health problems

    • Weight loss and poor appetite
    • A weakened immune system
    • Incontinence (loss of bladder control), especially with chronic nitrous oxide misuse

Many of these problems can significantly affect school performance, work, and relationships—issues that local healthcare providers in Grand Rapids, such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health regularly address in adolescents and young adults.

Inhalants and Other Drugs

Combining inhalants with other substances greatly increases risk. Dangerous combinations include:

  • Inhalants + alcohol
  • Inhalants + benzodiazepines (e.g., anti-anxiety or sleep medications)
  • Inhalants + opioids (prescription painkillers or heroin)

These combinations can:

  • Severely depress breathing
  • Increase the risk of losing consciousness
  • Raise the chance of choking on vomit
  • Lead to coma or death

Even “over-the-counter” or prescribed medications can interact dangerously with inhalants.

Dependence, Tolerance, and Withdrawal

Psychological Dependence

People who use inhalants regularly can develop a psychological dependence, feeling that they need the substance to:

  • Relax
  • Cope with stress
  • Feel confident or “normal”

Physical Dependence and Tolerance

Research suggests that physical dependence on inhalants is less common than with substances like alcohol or opioids, but it can still occur. Over time, some users may develop:

  • Tolerance – needing more of the substance to get the same effect
  • Cravings – strong urges to use inhalants

Withdrawal Symptoms

When someone who has been using inhalants heavily stops, they may experience mild withdrawal symptoms such as:

  • Anxiety or feeling on edge
  • Depression or low mood
  • Tremors (shaking)
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Irritability

Support from healthcare professionals and family can make withdrawal safer and more manageable.

Inhalant Emergencies: What to Do in Grand Rapids

If someone you are with overdoses or has a bad reaction while using inhalants:

  1. Call 911 immediately.

    • In Grand Rapids and throughout Michigan, emergency responders are trained to handle drug-related emergencies.
    • Paramedics are focused on saving lives, not getting people in trouble.

  2. Stay with the person.

    • Keep them calm and still.
    • Do not let them run or exert themselves, as this can trigger sudden sniffing death.

  3. Check breathing and responsiveness.

    • If they are unconscious but breathing, place them in the recovery position (on their side) to prevent choking on vomit.
    • If they are not breathing or you cannot detect a pulse, begin CPR if you are trained.

  4. Provide information.

    • Tell ambulance officers:
      • What was used (e.g., spray paint, gasoline, nitrous oxide)
      • How much and how long ago
      • Any other substances taken (alcohol, medications, other drugs)
      • Any known medical conditions (e.g., asthma, heart problems)

A quick response can save a life. Do not delay calling 911 because you are worried about getting into trouble.

Local Factors in Grand Rapids and Michigan

Living in Grand Rapids and the broader West Michigan region brings some specific considerations:

  • Cold winters and long indoor periods

    • Teens may spend more time indoors during winter months, increasing opportunities for experimenting with household products.
    • Poorly ventilated indoor spaces make inhalant use even more dangerous due to low oxygen levels.

  • Access to household and automotive products

    • In a region with strong automotive and manufacturing ties, products like solvents, fuels, and spray paints are common in many garages and workshops.

  • Youth and family support needs

    • Grand Rapids has a diverse and growing population; prevention and education efforts need to reach families of all backgrounds.

Parents, schools, and community organizations in Kent County can work together to:

  • Educate young people about the risks of inhalants
  • Monitor access to high-risk products
  • Promote healthy coping strategies and mental health support

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, Michigan

If you or someone you care about is using inhalants, help is available locally and confidentially.

In an Emergency

  • Call 911 for any immediate danger, overdose, or severe reaction.

Local Medical and Mental Health Care

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) – Grand Rapids
    • Emergency departments and behavioral health services
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Hospital-based care and outpatient mental health support
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Primary care and specialty services, including addiction-related care
  • Mercy Health
    • Clinics and hospital services for substance use concerns

Contact your GP (primary care doctor) or a local clinic in Grand Rapids to:

  • Discuss concerns about inhalant use
  • Get referrals to addiction specialists or counselors
  • Arrange physical and mental health evaluations

Public Health and Community Resources

  • Kent County Health Department

    • Offers public health information, prevention programs, and referrals for substance use services in the Grand Rapids area.

  • Grand Rapids Public Health / City of Grand Rapids resources

    • Check the City of Grand Rapids website for local youth programs, mental health resources, and community initiatives addressing substance use.

  • Local counseling and youth services

    • Many school districts, churches, and community centers in Grand Rapids partner with mental health providers to support teens and families dealing with substance use.

If you are unsure where to start, ask:

  • Your family doctor
  • A school counselor
  • A trusted adult or community leader

They can help connect you with appropriate local services.

Key Points About Inhalants in Grand Rapids

  • Inhalants are legal household products misused for their fumes, but they can cause brain damage, organ damage, and sudden death.
  • Chroming (spray paint inhalation) is one of the most common and dangerous forms of inhalant misuse.
  • Sudden sniffing death syndrome can cause fatal heart failure, even in healthy young people and even on first use.
  • Psychological dependence can develop; physical dependence is less common but possible.
  • Withdrawal is usually mild but can include anxiety, depression, tremors, nausea, dizziness, and loss of appetite.
  • In an emergency in Grand Rapids, always call 911 and stay with the person until help arrives.
  • Local resources—including Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, Kent County Health Department, and Grand Rapids Public Health—offer support, treatment, and information for inhalant and other substance use issues.

If you’re worried about inhalant use—your own or someone else’s—reaching out for help in Grand Rapids is a strong and important first step toward safety and recovery.