Holistic, Compassionate Inhalant Addiction Treatment
At Arista Recovery, we specialize in treating complex substance use issues, including inhalant addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Our team provides trauma-informed care in a safe and welcoming environment, supported by evidence-based practices and a comprehensive range of therapies.
With locations in Paola and Overland Park, Kansas, we offer a comprehensive range from detox to outpatient care, helping you or your loved ones reclaim your lives and move toward lasting recovery.
What Is Inhalant Addiction?
Inhalant addiction involves the repeated misuse of household or industrial chemicals, such as aerosol sprays, solvents, or gases, to achieve a temporary high, despite dangerous and potentially fatal consequences.1
These substances are inhaled through the nose or mouth, which is called “huffing,” “sniffing,” or “bagging.” This can quickly cause both psychological dependence and physical harm.
Because inhalants are legal, inexpensive, and easy to access, they are especially common among teenagers, but addiction can affect people of any age.
Why Inhalant Addiction Often Gets Missed
Inhalant misuse is easy to miss because it doesn’t resemble typical substance use. For example, there are no obvious paraphernalia like bottles or needles, and individuals may not fit addiction stereotypes.
Also, because most inhalants are household or industrial products like spray paint, glue, or cleaning fluids, they’re often perceived as low-risk. But, by the time someone is turning to these substances regularly, the harm is often already serious.
In fact, a national study reported over 35,000 cases of inhalant abuse, with 208 deaths and more than 1,000 serious complications, many of them involving teens.2
The Urgent Need for Treatment & Education
Inhalant addiction is not a harmless phase. It is a dangerous condition that requires early, evidence-based care. The sooner someone gets help, the better the chances of reversing physical damage and restoring emotional health.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nearly 4% of 8th graders reported taking inhalants in the past year, highlighting just how young this behavior can start.3
This early onset makes education and access to treatment even more urgent, and effective recovery goes beyond detox. It requires a whole-person approach that addresses substance use as well as emotional pain, trauma, or mental health challenges underneath.
Types of Inhalant Addiction
Understanding the types of inhalants and how they affect both the brain and body is a crucial step toward recognizing the danger and getting help early.
Types of Inhalants
Inhalants are commonly grouped into four main categories. While all of them are legal, they are everyday products not intended for recreational use, making them especially dangerous due to their accessibility and perceived harmlessness.
These inhalants include:4
- Volatile solvents: These include paint thinners, gasoline, nail polish remover, and glue. They are often sniffed or “huffed” directly from containers or bags.
- Aerosols: These include spray paint, cooking sprays, and hairsprays, and they are often inhaled from the nozzle or sprayed into a cloth or bag.
- Gases: Gases, such as those in butane lighters, propane tanks, and whipped cream dispensers (“whippets”), are inhaled from tanks, balloons, or canisters.
- Nitrites: These are often called “poppers” and are found in products like room deodorizers and leather cleaners. Unlike other inhalants, nitrites act more on blood vessels and the heart than the central nervous system.
Side Effects of Inhalant Use
Inhalants act quickly, sending chemicals directly to the brain through the lungs. However, what feels like a brief high can cause serious harm, especially with repeated use.
Some of the most common side effects of inhalant addiction include:5
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Confusion
- Euphoria or hallucinations
- Loss of coordination
- Brain damage due to oxygen deprivation and neurotoxicity
- Hearing loss and vision impairment
- Liver and kidney damage
- Muscle weakness and tremors
- Heart arrhythmias and cardiovascular damage
- Cognitive decline, including memory and concentration issues
- Nerve damage, leading to numbness and movement problems
The longer someone struggles with inhalant addiction, the more severe and permanent the damage can become.
Risk Factors for Inhalant Addiction
Certain individuals are more vulnerable to inhalant addiction due to various environmental, social, and psychological factors.
Some of the more at-risk populations include:
- Adolescents and preteens: Inhalants are often the first substances tried due to their availability.
- People with untreated trauma: Turning to inhalants can help numb emotional pain or escape reality.
- Those living in environments with easy access to products: This is especially true in low-supervision or high-stress households.
- People experiencing poverty or homelessness: Inhalants may be utilized as a cheap, accessible high for many.
No matter what symptoms or past trauma you may be struggling with, our team at Arista Recovery is here to help you get the care you need.
Inhalant Addiction and Mental Health
Inhalant addiction doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s deeply intertwined with mental health, and many individuals who misuse inhalants are also struggling with conditions like:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Trauma or PTSD
- Low self-esteem or suicidal thoughts
At Arista Recovery, we recognize the importance of treating co-occurring disorders. Our dual diagnosis program is designed to address both the addiction and the underlying mental health challenges that fuel it.
How Arista Recovery Can Help You Heal
At Arista Recovery, we understand that inhalant addiction can feel confusing, shameful, or even invisible. That is why we offer nonjudgmental, individualized treatment for inhalant addiction.
We meet every client with compassion and create a personalized plan rooted in both clinical excellence and whole-person healing. Whether you or your loved one is just starting to seek help or needs support after relapse, we’re here to walk with you every step of the way.
Our Levels of Care
Recovery is not one-size-fits-all. Arista Recovery offers a full continuum of care, allowing us to meet you wherever you are in your healing journey.
We offer:
- Medical Detox: For those who require supervised support at our Paola location while substances clear from the body.
- Sub-Acute Detox: A step-down level for those who need structured detox but not intensive medical monitoring.
- Inpatient Residential Treatment: Our signature program in Paola, KS. Clients live on-site, immersed in therapy, peer support, and holistic healing experiences.
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): A structured day program offering clinical care while allowing clients to return home or to sober living in the evenings.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Flexible treatment 3–5 days a week. This is ideal for transition or maintenance stages.
- Outpatient Drug Program: Designed for ongoing care, relapse prevention, and long-term accountability.
Also, recovery doesn’t stop after discharge. Our team will work with each client to build an individualized aftercare plan and connect them to our growing alumni network for ongoing community and support.
Where We’re Located
We believe healing happens in the right environment, which is why our locations are calm, supportive, and designed with dignity in mind.
Inpatient Campus – Paola, Kansas
Our Paola location offers a peaceful setting just outside Kansas City. Nestled on a beautiful property, our residential center offers a serene, retreat-like environment perfect for focused healing.
Outpatient Center – Overland Park, Kansas
Our modern outpatient location offers convenient access for those living in or near the Kansas City metro area. Clients can receive structured therapy while continuing to live at home or in sober living.
Whether you need immersive residential care or flexible outpatient support, Arista Recovery offers expert treatment in both settings.
Evidence-Based, Whole-Person Modalities
Our clinical team is composed of licensed professionals and led by a board-certified addictionologist. Our expert team uses evidence-based therapies and holistic support to help clients heal deeply and rediscover themselves.
Therapies We Recommend for Treatment
Depending on your needs, we may recommend several therapy options, such as:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps individuals identify and change harmful thought patterns and behaviors that may lead to addiction triggers.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): DBT focuses on building skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness, which is especially helpful for people with intense emotions.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI): A collaborative, person-centered approach that strengthens motivation for change. MI helps clients resolve ambivalence about recovery.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): MAT supports recovery, especially for opioid or alcohol use disorders.
- Trauma-Informed Therapy: Trauma-informed care is delivered with sensitivity to an individual’s past trauma and their overall emotional safety.
- Family Systems Therapy: Family therapy involves the family in treatment to repair relationships and improve communication. It also helps create a supportive environment for lasting recovery.
Our team also works hard to provide information on addiction, mental health, coping skills, and relapse prevention. These sessions empower individuals with knowledge for long-term success.
Experiential & Holistic Therapies
Our team also offers multiple holistic options for treatment, such as:
- Equine-Assisted Therapy: Fosters emotional growth and connection through guided interactions with horses brought on-site from local stables.
- Art & Music Therapy: Offers creative expression as a therapeutic outlet. Our art and music therapy sessions are led by credentialed professionals in a safe, healing environment.
- Yoga & Meditation: Promotes inner calm, focus, and mind-body balance through guided breathwork and movement practices.
We also support physical healing and recovery with personalized guidance from an on-site chef and nutrition professionals.
Ready to Begin the Journey to Healing?
If you or someone you care about is facing the challenges of inhalant addiction, know that help is available – and hope for long-term healing is real. At Arista Recovery, we combine expert clinical care with compassionate, person-centered support to guide individuals and families toward lasting recovery.
Our team understands the complex emotional, psychological, and physical effects of inhalant misuse, and we’re here to meet you with empathy – not judgment – at every stage of the journey.
Create Your Healthier Tomorrow, Today
With treatment centers in Paola and Overland Park, Kansas, we offer a full continuum of care, including medical detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient programs, and aftercare planning tailored to your unique needs.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Whether you’re seeking care for yourself or a loved one, our admissions team is ready to listen, answer your questions, and help you take the first step.
Call today or reach out online – because your path to healing can start right now, with a single courageous choice.
