Nitrous Oxide Addiction Treatment

There are various substances that people abuse, and sadly many of these are addictive.  One substance that is commonly misused is nitrous oxide, also known as nitrous, NOS, or laughing gas.

Unfortunately, there are many people who abuse this substance and become addicted to it. Educating yourself about nitrous oxide, including its abuse rates, its dangers, and how to treat nitrous oxide addiction, is one of the best ways to be able to spot it and addiction quickly.

What Is Nitrous Oxide?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nitrous oxide is a liquid-based colorless gas. When someone breathes in the gas, it can make them dizzy, unconscious, or in the most extreme cases, kill them. Nitrous oxide is used in various industries, especially in medical and dental settings, for sedation purposes.

You can find nitrous oxide in storage cylinders and anesthetic equipment. If you ever come into contact with nitrous oxide, do not breathe it in unless a medical professional is supervising the process. Nitrous oxide is used in air blowers, whipped cream cans, and other sprayable cans. Some people will obtain disposable cans and huff (inhale) the nitrous oxide inside of them. This practice is extremely dangerous.

Nitrous Oxide Abuse

It is possible to abuse nitrous oxide. With continued abuse, some people develop a nitrous oxide or NOS addiction. In addition to laughing gas or NAS, other terms for nitrous oxide include whippets, cream chargers, hippie crack, and no.

Nitrous Oxide Abuse Among Professionals

Since nitrous oxide is used in many medical settings, some professionals, such as dentists, use it to get high. Some actors and actresses, and people in other professions abuse nitrous oxide as well.

Widespread Abuse

There are many medical professionals and people in other professions who abuse nitrous oxide. However, it isn’t just the medical professionals who do this. Other people have nitrous oxide addictions. Nitrous oxide abuse occurs in people of all ages and in several different groups. Since it is easy to obtain, sometimes teenagers and even younger children abuse the substance.

Treating Nitrous Oxide Abuse

Is nitrous oxide addictive? Yes, it can be. The good news is that those who are abusing laughing gas can find the treatment they need. There are addiction rehab centers that offer nitrous oxide addiction treatment. Detox and rehab center programs can help you or a loved one treat nitrous oxide abuse or addiction.

Understanding Nitrous Oxide Abuse

It is important to understand the consequences of nitrous oxide abuse. It can cause many symptoms. One important thing to note about nitrous oxide abuse side effects is that they can quickly lead to death. Many people have died from abusing nitrous oxide or have suffered serious complications.

Side Effects of Nitrous Oxide Abuse

There are many side effects of nitrous oxide abuse. Some notable side effects include:

• Seizures
• Arrhythmias
• Respiratory arrest
• Vomiting
• Other harmful long-term effects of nitrous oxide abuse

If you are abusing nitrous oxide and are worried you may be developing an addiction, it is important to reach out for help before the situation becomes more serious. The sooner you seek treatment, the more likely you will enjoy a successful recovery.

Signs of Nitrous Oxide Addiction

It is important to learn how to recognize a nitrous oxide addiction. According to an article in the Shanghai Archives of Psychiatry, some signs of nitrous oxide addiction include:

• Emotional disorders such as mania, depression, or anxiety
• Personality changes
• Aggressive or impulsive behaviors
• Delusions or hallucinations
• Muscle weakness
• Numbness

Nitrous oxide can be dangerous when people use it to get high instead of using it as a medical tool. There are individualized treatment programs available for those who need them.

References

• cdc.gov – Nitrous Oxide
• bbc.com – How Dangerous Is Laughing Gas?
• academic.oup.com – The Increasing Recreational Use of Nitrous Oxide: History Revisited
• ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – Neuropsychiatric Symptoms Induced by Large Doses of Nitrous Oxide Inhalation: A Case Report