Street names for Inhalants and Types of Inhalants

Learning the street names for inhalants and types of inhalants commonly abused can help you detect if your teen is at risk

Is your teen abusing inhalant drugs? Most parents are aware of the dangers their teens face from illegal and prescription drug abuse, but another deadly threat may be slipping by undetected. Inhalant abuse can lead to drug addiction and has become widespread among young teenagers in the United States. A survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and numerous other recovery resources revealed that 13 percent of 8th-graders have used inhalants, and nearly 21.7 million Americans aged 12 years or older have tried inhalants at least once. Substance abuse among the younger generation is becoming common and it is important to speak to your kids about drug prevention early on about the effects of inhalants. You may have actually heard your teen discussing his or her inhalant habit and just not recognized the slang names for these types of drugs. Educating yourself about inhalants – learning the street names of inhalants and the types of inhalants commonly abused gives you a valuable tool that can help you detect if your child has a problem.
Common slang names for inhalant abuse include:

• Glading – sniffing or snorting the fumes from air fresheners
• Huffing – Substances sprayed onto a rag that is held in the mouth as fumes are breathed in
• Bagging – substances are sprayed or poured into a bag; teens breathe the fumes from the bag

Common Street Names for Inhalants

There are street names that can be used to refer to any inhalant. The most frequently heard street names for inhalants include:

• Air blast
• Bang
• Bullet Bolt
• Climax
• Diorama
• Heart-on
• Highball
• Hippie crack
• Huff
• Medusa
• Moon gas
• Oz
• Poor Man’s Pot
• Satan’s Secret Spray
• Texas Shoe Shine
• Toilet Water

Street Names for Specific Types of Inhalants

There are also street names that apply to specific types of drugs/inhalants. Knowing the specific street names for inhalants and the types of inhalants to which they refer can help parents pin down when and where their teens’ inhalant abuse is taking place. Frequently heard street names for specific inhalants, listed according to types of inhalants follows:

Nitrites

Street names: Ames, Amys, Boppers, Pearls, Poppers, Bolt, Bullet, Hardware, Poppers, Quicksilver, Rush, Rush Snappers, Thrust, Whippets

Inhalants that contain amyl, butyl, and cyclohexyl nitrites and other related compounds that work directly on the central nervous system. They are banned in household products but sold in small quantities in products that are labeled as air deodorizers, video head cleaners, or liquid aromas.

Aerosols

Street names:  Chroming (paint cans), Aroma of men (deodorant spray)

Inhalants in sprays that contain propellants or solvents such as paint cans, hairspray, deodorant, and cooking sprays

Gases

Street names: Laughing gas, Shoot the breeze

Gases that are used as inhalants can be found in medical anesthetics such as nitrous oxide and as propellants in everyday items such as whipping cream and lighter fluid

Volatile Solvents

Street names:  Whiteout, Snotballs

Inhalants in liquid form that give off vapors that users inhale as the solvents evaporate. In many common household products such as glue, paint thinners, and typewriter correction fluids, among others

Side Effects of Inhalants

Inhalants are often the first drug that teens turn to. Since they are readily available in the home, teens can try them without knowing a drug dealer. Obtaining restricted substances, a dangerous drug, a downer drug, or performing any illegal acts can put the individual into a very dangerous position. The fact that inhalants are in everyday items doesn’t mean that inhalant abuse is safer than other types of drug abuse. Inhalant abuse actually wreaks an incredible amount of damage on users’ bodies that can be irreversible. Drug addiction via inhalant drugs has the serious side effect of inhalant abuse and requires drug treatment to overcome and manage. Inhalants’ side effects can be devastating and cause significant impairment, including:

• Damage to brain cells – causes the inability to concentrate or engage in planning
• Damage to nerve fibers – causes spasms, and tremors similar to multiple sclerosis
• Damage to organs – causes liver and kidney damage, hearing loss, bone marrow damage

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if an individual has abused inhalants for an extended period of time. Besides feeling tired, a host of other negative side effects come when an individual has abused substances and suddenly stops. 

Substance abuse treatment is available at WhiteSands treatment center for drug and alcohol addiction. Relapse prevention mechanisms during treatment programs can assist individuals in successfully overcoming their addiction. Treatment programs can assist patients with a range of addictions including heroin addiction, opioid addiction, and alcohol addiction. 

If you or someone close to you is struggling, substance abuse and drug rehab in Tampa are available. The institute on drug abuse believes that drug prevention knowledge is key in preventing the abuse of harmful substances in both teens and adults alike. Drug treatment and an assistance program can help you or a loved one overcome dangerous drug abuse to continue leading healthy and constructive lives. 

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.