Nangs & Other Inhalants

WHAT ARE NANGS AND INHALANTS?

Inhalants are substances inhaled through the nose or mouth that slows down the messages between brain and body. They are usually household chemicals such as volatile substance, aerosols, gases and nitrates.
It’s important to remember that excessive use of a useful product (such as deodorant) can be a normal behaviour during adolescence does not necessarily mean a young person is inhaling fumes.
“Nangs” are a type of inhalants that have seen increasingly popularity in Victoria. We recommend this article as a great resource for workers.

OTHER NAMES:

Glue, gas, sniff, huff, chroming, poppers, nanging, nangs spraying, paint snigging, glue sniffing, volatile substances. Also various product brand names such as “sellys all clear”.

EFFECTS:

• Inhalants are commonly sprayed into a plastic bag or onto a towel or rag which is then held over the nose and mouth and vapours inhaled. Chemical-soaked rags or clothes, red runny eyes or nose, loss of appetite and unexplained paint or chemical stains on face or fingers are signs to be aware of. Young people who are chroming may smell of the substance.
• Lessened inhibitions, euphoria, dizziness, mood swings, flu like symptoms (red eyes and runny nose), blurred vison, slurred speech, sores around the mouth, aggression, and vomiting.
• DURATION
• The effects of inhalant use can be felt straight away
• The effects can last up to 45 minutes
  OVERDOSE
• Hallucinations, black outs, inability to be roused or woken. An ambulance should be called if any of these symptoms occur.
• Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome (SDSS) describes death from heart failure resulting from physical exertion post-inhaling, compounded by an irregular heartbeat.

SOME COMMON HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES

Encourage a young person to: –

• Know which inhalants are more harmful than others
• Do not spray directly into the throat (this can lead to suffocation)
• Avoid sniffing indoors and enclosed places, open the window or go outside
• Don’t use alone, use in a safe place with others around that you trust
• Try to avoid using a plastic bag and use a paper bag instead or even a sock
• If you have to use a plastic bag put some holes in it to reduce suffocation risk
• Do not attempt physical exertion or driving a vehicle after using
• Inhalants are highly flammable. Avoid smoking and using lighters around inhalants or directly after use. Bonfires and BBQ’s are also places to avoid when using.
• Avoid mixing with alcohol or other drugs
• Overdose can occur. If a person experiences blurred vision, disorientation, seizures, “blacked out” or you think overdose has occurred, seek medical attention.

This is only a little bit of information check out ADF’s fact sheet for heaps more info.

We also recommend you have a look at this video from Tune in Not out for another take on chroming.
This article from Central Australian Youth Link-Up Service (CAYLUS) talks about harm reduction strategies.