Volatile substances of abuse

Substances that are inhaled for the purpose of recreational self-intoxication include aliphatic hydrocarbons, alkyl halides, alkyl nitrites, aromatic hydrocarbons, ethers, and ketones. All have the ability to cause asphyxia, arrhythmias, cardiovascular depression, neurologic dysfunction, and mucosal, pulmonary, and skin irritation following acute exposure and permanent neurologic damage with chronic exposure. The acute effects of alkyl halides and alkyl nitrites also include carbon monoxide poisoning and hepatorenal toxicity, and methemoglobinemia, respectively. Chronic exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons and ketones can result in liver, kidney, and bone marrow injury; myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, metabolic acidosis, and electrolyte abnormalities are further complications of chronic aromatic hydrocarbon inhalation.