Inhalant Addiction Statistics

How Many People Are Addicted to Inhalants in the U.S.?

Because inhalants are not legal to use other than for their intended purpose, any use or misuse of these products is considered abuse.

Inhalant use rarely results in physical dependence for most people. However, because using them can lead to fast and temporary mind-altering effects, most statistics focus on the abuse of inhalants rather than addiction.

As such, research shows that over 22 million Americans aged 12 and over have used inhalants in their lifetimes. Each year, 750,000 people abuse inhalants for the first time.

There are various types of inhalants people may abuse. These can include, but aren’t limited to:

• Felt-tip markers
• Deodorant
• Aerosol sprays
• Hair spray
• Gas, propane, or butane (lighter fluid)
• Paint thinner
• Nitrous oxide (whippets)
• Correction fluid
• Solvents (like poppers)
• Nail polish remover (acetones)
• Nitrates like amyl nitrite (poppers or rush), cyclohexyl nitrite, or butyl nitrite

Inhalant Addiction Rates in the U.S. vs. Other Nations

Although inhalant addiction is not as prevalent as substance use disorders (SUDs), it still presents serious and often dangerous issues.

In the United States, younger people, including adolescents and teens aged 12 to 17, are more likely to use inhalants to get high. According to data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), about 3.6% of 8th graders nationwide reported inhalant use in 2021.

However, very few adults continue to use inhalants, and only 0.1% of people over age 12 are classified with an inhalant use disorder.

Globally, over 2 million people reported using inhalants in 2017. 

Research shows that in countries like Mexico, Brazil, and other Latin American countries, the use of inhalants is more common among low-income youth living in the streets.

Statistics on Inhalant Use and Abuse

Inhalant use often goes unreported and unrecognized, even though the abuse of these substances can lead to serious health issues.

Additional statistics on inhalant use and abuse show that:

• Age group: Young people are the most common inhalant users, making up 2.7% of the population. Research reports even show children as young as 5 years old using inhalants.
• Inhalant use disorder: About 0.1% of people over the age of 12 (335,000 people) were diagnosed with this disorder in 2021.
• Exposure to other drugs: Young inhalant users also have a higher likelihood of using other substances like cigarettes, alcohol, and illicit drugs
• Addiction risk: Even though inhalant use is not considered highly addictive, about 10-15% of regular inhalant users show signs of dependence, including cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This is usually found in people who use strong inhalants like nitrites or volatile solvents.
• How inhalants are used: Inhalants use includes “sniffing” directly from containers, “huffing” using rags soaked in chemicals (like for chloroform use), and “bagging” to inhale fumes from bags like paper or plastic bags.
• Why people use inhalants: Inhalants are cheap and easy to access. Use can stem from peer pressure, a desire to experiment with inhalants and other drugs, and to cope with difficult circumstances.

Inhalant Addiction Statistics by Demographic

The use of inhalants ranges by different demographic groups.

Inhalant Abuse by Gender

Studies show that female adolescents and teenagers use inhalants at slightly higher rates than males, making up 52% of the reported young users.

Female users may also face severe long-term health effects compared to their male counterparts. Inhalant use can affect reproductive health, cognitive development, and growth in adolescent girls.

However, with age, female inhalant use rates go down. Data also shows that male users have a higher chance of continuing inhalant use into adulthood.

Inhalant Abuse by Age

Inhalant abuse is most common in young people, typically in middle and high-school-aged populations. Data from 2021 shows that:

• 8th graders make up the highest rate at 3.6%
• 10th graders show a 2.4% use rate
• 12th graders drop down to 1.8% use rate

A 2015 study showed that of the 684,000 adolescents that used inhalants, felt-tip markers were the preferred method. Within that past year, 59% of inhalant abusers used inhalants at least once in 11 days while 19.3% used at least 12 times in 49 days.

Inhalant Abuse by Race

Inhalant abuse varies across different racial and ethnic groups. However, much of the data for U.S. populations is outdated. This makes it difficult to understand current trends of inhalant use by race.

Data from 2003 inhalant user rate by race shows:

• Non-Hispanic White: 71%
• Non-Hispanic Black: 11.1%
• Hispanic/Latino: 12.1%
• Asian: 4.3%
• Native populations: 0.6%

Socioeconomic Factors and Inhalant Abuse

Inhalant abuse is more commonly found in low-income communities as they are affordable and easily accessible for frequent use. Unemployment, lack of education, and limited access to resources can also contribute to higher inhalant abuse rates.

Some studies show that people in large metropolitan areas and those housed in psychiatric hospitals, prisons, and residential care facilities often report high rates of inhalant use.

Inhalant Overdose Rates

Overdoses caused by inhalant abuse can occur even on the first try. Known as sudden sniffing death, users may experience cardiac arrest after inhaling the toxic chemicals.

Approximately 200 deaths in the U.S. per year are attributed to inhalant abuse.

Statistics on Effects of Inhalant Abuse

The use of volatile inhalants can have severely damaging and long-term effects. Some include:

• Brain damage in the areas of muscle control, memory, learning, and movement. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) shows that 50-80% of regular inhalant abusers experience a cognitive impairment.
• Organ damage like heart failure or severe damage to the kidneys and lungs. Regular use of toluene (found in paint thinners) can cause permanent organ damage requiring long-term health care.
• Disordered eating, particularly in female inhalant users, who are more likely to engage in disordered eating behaviors, leading to weight loss and other health complications.
• Mental health issues, with about 38% of chronic inhalant users reporting anxiety, depression, and similar mental health conditions within the past year.

Find Supportive Resources for Inhalant Abuse Now

If you or a loved one you know are struggling with inhalant abuse, help is here for you. To start, learn more about the effects of inhalant abuse and treatment options near you.

You can look to trusted resources, such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). They offer a free mental health and drug use helpline (1-800-662-HELP) that you can call at any time. You can also use their search tool to find local treatment centers and substance abuse support groups. Local health clinics with substance abuse counselors can also be a great resource for one-on-one psychotherapy/