Nitrous Oxide Addiction
One commonly abused recreational substance is Nitrous Oxide, a highly toxic substance also referred to as laughing gas, nitrous oxide, or NO2. Unfortunately, there are too many individuals who become addicted to it, and misuse it in a manner that is harmful to themselves. There are several things that most individuals should be aware of regarding nitrous oxide addiction, including its harmful effects, its various dangers, and how best people can deal with nitrous oxide addiction. Here is some information that will hopefully prove useful. Nitrous oxide is a highly addictive drug. This is largely due to the manner in which it vaporizes, meaning that it takes about thirty seconds for the chemical to enter the bloodstream. In fact, when the gas is consumed, the effects begin to kick in almost immediately. From high levels of euphoria and confidence to complete paralysis in the face, all of these effects happen relatively quickly, and many users do not even realize what they are doing. In addition, the drug itself often leaves an individual feeling very light headed, as if they had just taken a few “pluses” and avoided the “bugs”.
Nitrous oxide is also commonly used recreationally by those who want to experience a “high.” As stated previously, the effects happen relatively quickly, giving a person a “rush” similar to the way that illegal drugs like cannabis or amphetamines leave an individual feeling. The only difference is that instead of reaching the brain directly, it enters the blood stream through the lungs. This drug is also much more potent than most other substances, which makes it far easier to overuse than most other drugs. Also, once it gets into the bloodstream, it becomes a very difficult task to remove, especially if the user has eaten some sort of narcotics prior. Many times, this can lead to serious health problems and even death.
In addition to the health risks associated with nitrous oxide use, there is also a strong potential for the addict to develop some form of addiction to the substance. Most users will go through one or two major phases in their usage. They may start out using casually to see if it is possible to get high off inhalation without the health risk involved. After a time, they may start going to parties where they are likely to be introduced to harder drugs such as cocaine or heroin. If the user continues to use after becoming heavily addicted, the chances of them developing serious mental health problems become greater.
Nitrous Oxide Addiction and abuse
Nitrous oxide abuse can cause a variety of medical problems, including severe respiratory distress, seizures, hallucinations, coma and even death. Because these types of issues often occur in the short term, medical treatment is usually required to recover from the effects of these drugs. This treatment can range from simple remedies such as inhaling anti-histamines, over-the-counter medicines and antibiotics, all the way up to more complex procedures such as intravenous and oral hydrocortisone treatments. In many instances, hospital admissions are necessary due to the fact that the user has developed an immunity to the effects of the drug. In extreme cases, medical intervention may be required in order to prevent the development of grave health complications.
If you suspect that your loved one is abusing nitrous oxide products, it is important to ensure that they are aware of the harmful side effects and that they are checked into a rehabilitation facility as soon as possible. In most cases, rehabilitation centers offer safe environments where staff members and patients know that they are protected. However, you should never leave a loved one alone with any type of drug, even if they tell you that they do not need it. If you suspect your loved one is in danger of developing an addiction, contact local law enforcement immediately. You can even contact the Department of Social Services in your area to find out what resources are available in your community. You can also contact your family member’s primary care physician to see if he or she can refer you to a rehabilitation facility.