On this page: Getting help | Emergency help | Find out more   

Getting help

Young people misuse inhalants for a variety of reasons.  What you need to know is that there is no safe level of inhalant use. Sometimes young people use inhalants as a way of escaping their problems.  If this is the case with you or a friend it is important to find someone you trust to talk to.  That could be your parents, a family member , a teacher or school counsellor or it maybe you want to talk anonymously to a counsellor.  If you or a friend need to talk to someone about any issue that may be bothering you, there are a number of services that can help:

Kids Help Line is a 24 hour telephone and online counselling service for 5 - 25 year olds in Australia. [website]
Phone: 1800 55 1800

Lifeline Australia provides 24 hour telephone counselling to anyone within Australia. [website]
Phone: 13 11 14

CounsellingOnline is a 24 hour alcohol and drug online counselling service.  Support is provided to users as well as family and friends. [website]

Or you might find some helpful information here:

Youth Substance Abuse Service [website]
Phone: 1800 014 446

headspace: Australia's National Youth Mental Health Foundation  [website]

Youth.nsw [website]

Youth Beyond Blue  [website]

Emergency help

In an emergency call an ambulance (triple zero - 000) straight away.  Using inhalants can be potentially deadly.  If you are with someone who is using inhalants be aware of the possible side effects.

Possible side effects include:

• erratic and sometimes violent behaviour.
• difficulty breathing.
• passing out - unconsciousness.
• choking.
• potential fire hazard.
• heart failure.

What to do before help arrives:

• if the person is conscious, try and keep them calm - if possible ensure the inhalant is removed and ensure there is fresh air available.
• if they are unconscious - place them on their side to ensure they don't choke or if they are not breathing start CPR.
• Stay with the user until help arrives.

Find out more about inhalants

headspace. Inhalants factsheet [pdf - 66 kb]
ADAWS. Withdrawing from inhalants [website]

{ page updated: 15 October 2009 }