Going through a nitrous oxide detox, or a detox from any other kind of inhalant drugs, is the best way to break your addiction and start recovery. Detox can be a difficult process but it is made easier with help from trained and experienced professionals.
Nitrous oxide abuse can lead to many scary and dangerous health concerns. It’s important to act quickly on this problem to stop nitrous oxide inhalation and build the tools needed to avoid relapse in the future. The longer this addiction goes on, the more damage it is able to do to the body.
To get the right help, turn to Changes Healing Center. We are proud to provide a safe, comfortable, supportive environment where treatment options can be openly received by all clients. Give us a call now to learn more about how we can serve you.
Inhalants are chemical substances that can alter your mind. They are used simply by breathing in the fumes they produce.
Nitrous oxide, which is commonly called “laughing gas”, is one of the most popular inhalant abuse chemicals. Others in this category include aerosol sprays, solvents like paint thinner, and household cleaning agents.
The availability of inhalants like nitrous oxide has made them particularly popular among younger individuals. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that in 2023, more than 2% of all individuals between the ages of 12-17 had tried inhalants.
All of these inhalants can produce physical symptoms and are not safe for human consumption. When an inhalant is used, it leads to oxygen deprivation in the brain. Oxygen is replaced by the chemicals being inhaled and a short-term euphoria may be experienced.
Those euphoric effects are not worth the harm that is done when using inhalants. Some of the many negative outcomes include brain damage, liver and kidney failure, and seizures. It’s also possible to go into cardiac arrest, and coma or death can’t be ruled out.
Nitrous oxide is an inhalant that offers easy access and can deliver dissociative and euphoric effects. There are a number of ways to gain access to nitrous oxide, such as through whipped cream canisters or small cartridges that are used in culinary settings. It’s also possible to use medical-grade tanks, if access is available.
Recreational drug use of nitrous oxide can lead to a number of harmful outcomes. One primary one is vitamin b12 deficiency. As the physical dependence on nitrous oxide advances, more and more harms will be realized.
Advanced symptoms of this drug abuse include loss of motor control and coordination. Cognitive issues and memory loss can also be incurred after an extended period. In addition to physical symptoms, psychological symptoms might be present which can include mood swings and psychosis.
Anyone who feels a psychological addiction to nitrous oxide or other drugs should turn to professionals for help right away. Specifically, going through the detox process under medical supervision is far better than attempting to get through this experience on your own.
We understand that the prospect of going into detox for nitrous oxide addition, or for any other type of addiction, is intimidating. You don’t know what withdrawal symptoms you are going to face and you aren’t sure what life will be like on the other side.
Fortunately, the team at Changes Healing Center is here to help you with that nitrous oxide addiction. We can get you safely into and out of the detox process, and then proceed on with additional treatment to set you up for lasting recovery.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at what the detox process looks like when you decide to put an end to nitrous oxide abuse.
Dealing with nitrous oxide addiction always starts with a detailed assessment. This assessment is necessary to determine how often you have been using nitrous or other drugs, as well as to detail any physical symptoms you are experiencing.
Our assessment will also work on starting to understand why you have been inhaling nitrous oxide. What underlying causes have been pushing you toward this substance use? Getting the clearest possible picture of the situation will allow us to craft a plan that positions you well for success moving forward.
One of the biggest advantages of going through rehab in a treatment facility is that you’ll be under medical supervision throughout the experience. Serious health consequences are not as common with nitrous oxide detox as with other substances, but you still can’t be sure how your body is going to react.
The physical symptoms that develop during your detox can be addressed by the medical team promptly. Some of those symptoms may include powerful headaches, nausea and vomiting, anxiety and restlessness, and more.
Medical procedures won’t necessarily be used to manage your detox, but will be available if needed. Nitrous oxide effects can be somewhat unpredictable so having healthcare professionals on hand is to your advantage.
If you have been using nitrous oxide recreationally, there is likely a reason. Getting at the heart of that reason is the goal of therapeutic support. This support can begin even while detox is still in process.
Talking with a counselor is the fundamental treatment at this stage. You will be able to discuss your nitrous oxide abuse, how it developed, and what may have caused it. Even just one or two sessions – perhaps while still having nitrous oxide withdrawal symptoms – can make a profound difference.
We’ll talk more about what comes after detox later on this page, but these early therapy sessions set the stage for greater growth later on. As your withdrawal symptoms fade and you start to imagine a life free from nitrous oxide addiction, it will feel like the whole world is opening up to you.
Aftercare can include not only the treatment options you explore after detox, but also what you do when formal treatment has ended. Maintaining sobriety is a lifelong battle, after all.
Staying away from nitrous oxide use will require ongoing attention. You don’t want to turn back to nitrous oxide gas when you encounter a difficult situation in life that serves as a trigger.
Building up a strong collection of aftercare tools will help you stay away from this controlled substance. Inhalant abuse won’t seem so appealing, or necessary, when you have the skills needed to deal with life’s ups and downs. And, the more serious symptoms of using nitrous oxide will be understood and will serve as a deterrent.
Is it possible to detox from nitrous oxide use on your own? Yes, it’s possible. You could simply stop using this inhalant completely and try to ride out the various psychiatric symptoms and physical symptoms that you may experience.
But that’s not likely to be your best plan of attack. For one thing, relapse is highly likely. You are currently physically dependent on the nitrous oxide, and cutting it off will make you uncomfortable in a variety of ways. Without structure around you, going back to using nitrous will seem like the path of least resistance.
There is also the matter of what to do after detox is over. Even if you make it through detox successfully, you will still not have treated the underlying issues. Something led you to nitrous oxide use in the first place. Until that is dealt with, the problem is not in the past.
This is why professional treatment can be so effective. For starters, getting through nitrous oxide addiction detox will be easier when you have help. Everything is easier when you have help. You don’t have to do it all on your own, and someone will be there to pick you up when times get tough and you think about turning back.
Just as importantly, a treatment plan will be in place for what happens after detox. Too many users of nitrous oxide have pushed themselves through the detox phase only to make it to the other side and not know what to do next. Sadly, this commonly leads to relapse and the whole point of detox will have been wasted.
Getting through detox to break your nitrous oxide addiction is a great starting point. This is only the beginning of your journey, however. Now that your system is free of nitrous oxide or other inhalants, the real healing can begin.
The treatment options available at Changes Healing Center are focused on caring for the whole person. You need treatment that addresses the physical, mental, and emotional challenges you’ve been facing.
For some, inpatient residential treatment options will be the right choice. For others, an outpatient program may be more appropriate and practical. Your recovery journey from substance abuse is unique to you and we will craft a plan that addresses your needs specifically.
Don’t let today be another day that you put off addressing this serious issue. Inhaling nitrous oxide is harmful to your body and this type of substance abuse is worthy of professional treatment in an accredited facility.
The path to recovery starts with a phone call to our office today. As soon as you reach out, our team will jump into action and get you started on treatment for nitrous oxide abuse. Take a moment now to reach out and let’s work together to turn over a new leaf in your life.