Tranquility Woods
Overview and Education
Inhalants Addiction Rehab in Maryland
Inhalant addiction is one of those issues that people don’t talk about enough. When most people think of addiction, they picture drugs like opioids, cocaine, or alcohol. Inhalants are in a category of their own, and that makes them hard to understand. But for the people who struggle with inhalant addiction—and their families—the effects can be just as devastating.
Inhalants include a wide range of household items like glue, paint thinner, spray paint, and even whipped cream canisters. Most people think of these as everyday products, not drugs. But when inhaled in large quantities, these chemicals can produce a short-lived “high” that’s disorienting, even euphoric. Unfortunately, they can also cause serious damage to the body and brain. Let’s break down what inhalant addiction looks like, why it happens, and what recovery can look like.
What Are Inhalants, and Why Are They Dangerous?
Inhalants are chemicals that produce mind-altering effects when you breathe them in. Unlike other drugs, inhalants aren’t illegal substances on their own—they’re just common household products. But when used in a certain way, they can create a quick and intense high. The effects don’t last long, often just a few minutes, but during that time, people may feel lightheaded, euphoric, or even have hallucinations. For some, this temporary escape can feel almost irresistible.
The problem is, inhalants come with a high cost. The chemicals in these products aren’t meant to be in our bodies, and when we breathe them in, they can cause serious harm. Inhalants can damage the brain, heart, liver, kidneys, and other organs. Some people suffer from memory loss, cognitive issues, or permanent damage to the central nervous system. And because the high is so short-lived, people often end up inhaling again and again, creating a cycle that’s hard to break.
Inhalants refer to everyday household products—like glue, spray paint, and nail polish remover—that were never meant to be used to get high. This accessibility makes them particularly dangerous and easy to misuse, especially among young people.
Why People Get Hooked on Inhalants
Inhalant addiction often begins at a young age. Unfortunately, inhalants are cheap, legal, and easy to get ahold of, which makes them especially tempting for teenagers or young adults who might not have access to other substances. In some cases, people start using inhalants out of curiosity, boredom, or peer pressure, and the habit escalates from there.
Inhalants also appeal to people because they create a fast, intense high. Unlike alcohol or pills, where you might have to wait a bit to feel the effects, inhalants hit almost instantly. But because the high wears off so quickly, people often find themselves using over and over just to keep the effects going. This can turn into a habit surprisingly fast.
Another factor is that inhalants sometimes offer a sense of escape. For some people, especially those dealing with stress, trauma, or mental health struggles, that brief high can feel like a relief from the weight of daily life. Unfortunately, this relief is temporary, and it comes with huge risks to both physical and mental health.
The high from inhalants only lasts a few minutes, which is why people often binge-use them back-to-back to keep the effects going. This cycle can make addiction feel relentless and hard to break.
The Cycle of Inhalant Addiction
The cycle of inhalant addiction can be brutal. Because the high doesn’t last long, people tend to “binge” on inhalants, using over and over in a short period. This cycle can make addiction more intense, with people feeling driven to keep using to avoid the “crash” and get back to that momentary high.
Inhalants can also create a psychological dependence. People start relying on them not just for the high, but as a coping mechanism—a way to deal with stress, anxiety, or emotional pain. Over time, the brain starts associating inhalants with relief, which makes it harder to stop. And because of the health risks, even short-term inhalant use can lead to lasting physical and mental damage, making it essential to break the cycle as early as possible.
What Recovery from Inhalant Addiction Looks Like
Recovery from inhalant addiction is possible, but it requires both physical and emotional healing. Because inhalants can cause damage to the brain and body, the first step in recovery often involves medical assessment and support to address any health issues. At Tranquility Woods, we focus on helping clients rebuild physically, while also giving them the tools they need to move forward emotionally.
Therapy plays a huge role in inhalant addiction recovery. For many people, inhalant use is tied to underlying issues like trauma, anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem. In individual and group therapy, clients work on understanding the deeper reasons they turned to inhalants in the first place. We help them develop healthier coping skills so they can handle stress or difficult emotions without needing to escape into a high.
Recovery also involves building new habits and routines. Inhalant addiction is often tied to boredom, isolation, or a lack of structure, so we focus on helping clients create a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling. This might include finding new hobbies, strengthening family relationships, or setting goals for work or school. We also emphasize the importance of community, connecting clients with support groups and people who understand what they’re going through.
Phase One: Residential Treatment
The first phase of recovery is all about creating stability. Clients stay on-site at Tranquility Woods in a calm, supportive environment where they can fully focus on healing. For many people struggling with inhalants, the physical detox process can be intense—even though inhalants don’t create the same physical withdrawal symptoms as other drugs, people often experience psychological withdrawal, cravings, headaches, irritability, and anxiety. During this time, our medical team is here to provide comfort and support, helping clients manage symptoms so they can safely transition into recovery.
But residential treatment is about more than just detox. Here, clients have access to individual therapy, group counseling, and holistic therapies like yoga, meditation, and art therapy. These sessions help clients begin to explore the underlying reasons they turned to inhalants in the first place. Was it stress? Anxiety? Unresolved trauma? During this phase, our therapists work with each client to start unpacking these root causes, laying the foundation for deeper healing in the phases to come.
Phase Two: Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
After residential treatment, clients move into our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). This phase is about finding balance—clients begin to experience more independence while still receiving intensive daily support. In PHP, clients come to Tranquility Woods during the day for several hours of structured therapy, group sessions, and recovery-focused activities, but they’re able to return home or to a sober living environment at night.
PHP is where clients start to put their new skills and insights into practice. Therapy during this phase often focuses on relapse prevention, emotional regulation, and managing triggers that might lead to cravings. Since the effects of inhalants are short-lived, many people end up using them in a “binge” cycle. In PHP, we work on breaking that cycle by helping clients develop healthier ways to cope with stress, boredom, or emotional pain. Here, clients also build connections with peers who understand their struggles, providing a sense of community and accountability as they transition toward a more independent life.
Members of our clinical team meeting at our outpatient location in Arnold, Maryland.
Phase Three: Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
The final phase, Intensive Outpatient (IOP), is designed to help clients re-enter the world with confidence and a strong support system. In IOP, clients attend therapy and group sessions a few times a week, which gives them the flexibility to start resuming daily routines—like work, school, or family responsibilities—while still staying connected to the support at Tranquility Woods.
This phase is all about maintaining momentum and reinforcing the habits that clients developed in the earlier phases. IOP provides a safety net as clients face real-life situations and test their coping skills outside of treatment. Our therapists continue to work with each client on managing triggers, handling stress, and processing any challenges that come up in day-to-day life. By this point, clients have built a toolkit of healthier ways to deal with their emotions and stressors—whether that’s practicing mindfulness, connecting with a support network, or finding creative outlets to express themselves.
Change can happen.
Take the First Step Toward Lasting Recovery
At Tranquility Woods, we understand that addiction is complex, but recovery is possible with the right support. Our comprehensive, individualized approach combines evidence-based therapies, holistic care, and compassionate support to address not just the symptoms, but the root causes of addiction.
Whether you’re struggling with alcohol, drugs, or co-occurring mental health conditions, we’re here to guide you on the path to lasting recovery. Contact us today to start your journey toward healing and a healthier, sober life.