World Class Addiction Treatment for Balloon Drugs
‘Balloon drugs’ is a colloquial name for nitrous oxide, a drug that was discovered by the English scientist Joseph Priestley in 1772. Nitrous oxide is an odourless and colourless gas commonly used as a painkiller and sedative in medical procedures, primarily in dentistry. However, because of its euphoric effects, low cost, and availability, it has become popular as a recreational drug with young people.
According to the Office for National Statistics, nitrous oxide is the second most popular drug among 16- to 24-year-olds, behind cannabis. During recent COVID-19 lockdowns, nitrous oxide abuse became a prevalent problem amongst young people across the UK. And because it is not illegal to be in possession of nitrous oxide, this trend is a difficult one to stop.
While many view the drug as harmless, it’s important to understand the hazardous effects it can have on the human body, including asphyxiation, addiction, and an increased risk of accidents.
Table of Contents
This informative article sheds light on the dangers of recreational balloon drugs and the treatment options available for you or a loved one should you be concerned about your or their use of the drug. It covers the following:
- What balloon drugs are
- The short and long-term effects of using balloon drugs
- Why people use nitrous oxide recreationally
- The dangers of mixing nitrous oxide with other substances
- The dangers of using nitrous oxide
- Nitrous oxide and addiction
- Addiction and substance misuse treatment options
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What Are Balloon Drugs?
Balloon drugs in the context of this discussion are referred to as nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, which is an inhalable substance. It is a weak general anaesthetic used for pain control during dental procedures and was first clinically tested in 1844. In recent decades, nitrous oxide has become a popular party drug, particularly in youth culture, owing to the short-lived high that it produces when inhaled.
Why is Nitrous Oxide Called ‘Balloon Drugs’?
Nitrous oxide is available in small pressurised metal canisters containing 8g of the drug. Recreational users like to decant the canister’s contents into a ‘cracker’ or whipped cream dispenser to release it into a balloon. When inhaled this way, the drug’s effects are more potent, causing euphoria, giddiness, relaxation, and sedation.
Nitrous oxide has also earned itself the nicknames ‘hippie crack‘, ‘whippets’, and ‘whippits’ due to this inhalation method.
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The Laughing Gas Wars of London
Nitrous oxide abuse has become a widespread problem in London, with local councils confiscating thousands of empty canisters yearly. Unfortunately, these items are often resold by street dealers who take advantage of the fact that they cannot be stopped under drug laws.
Drug abuse is a dangerous risk with long-term negative consequences such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Furthermore, this drug has an addictive potential.
The UK’s Local Government Association has warned about the risks of using nitrous oxide as a party drug. They describe its use as “deeply disturbing” and urge YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter to issue statements regarding videos that glorify its recreational use. Other European governments share the concern and want to see a change in the supply of nitrous oxide, making it illegal to purchase the drug outside of a licensed and regulated setting such as a dental practice or hospital.
What Are the Effects of Balloon Drugs?
The primary concern associated with the use of nitrous oxide is the risk of asphyxiation, which displaces oxygen in the lungs and produces hypoxia. Hypoxia is a condition in which the body becomes deprived of oxygen. Inhaling this laughing gas from a balloon or canister can result in a person holding their breath for an extended period, which means more risk of hypoxia. There is also always a risk of accidents in people who used this drug for a longer duration. Another problem is the potential for psychological dependency, leading to nerve damage.
The effects of laughing gas can vary depending on the amount of drug intake and the method of administration. In addition, using balloon gas over a long period of time can create a tolerance to the substance. Tolerance to nitrous oxide is a serious issue as it creates long-term toxicity in the body.
Short-Term Effects
Recreational users of laughing gas partake in “huffing”, “sniffing”, or “bagging” sessions, where they inhale the drug multiple times to get high. When small amounts of the gas are ingested in this way, it causes dizziness, lightheadedness and disorientation. There is also the risk of nausea or vomiting and an increased risk of aspiration (breathing vomit into one’s lungs).
The immediate physical effects of nitrous oxide include a headache and a strong feeling of nausea. It can also cause cold burns to the skin, lips, and chest when inhaled directly from tanks or whippets (bulbs).
Nitrous oxide’s effects are brief and typically reach their peak 10-30 seconds after inhalation, causing feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and calmness. They have been described as ‘dreamy’ states, psychedelic-like states, or dissociative states where perception distortions may occur.
Long-Term Effects
Prolonged use and heavy use of nitrous oxide can have chronic toxic effects or neurotoxicity. This is dose-dependent and may lead to memory loss, difficulty learning new things or making decisions, and brain damage.
People can become psychologically addicted to nitrous oxide because of a desire for a euphoric feeling. Psychological addiction or dependence is when a person continues to use a substance despite its use having negative consequences.
Long-term use of nitrous laughing gas can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb Vitamin B 12, resulting in irreversible inactivation. It can happen after a single use of small amounts of the gas or more frequently with repeated and heavier exposure. Additionally, repeated exposure to nitrous oxide can lead to anaemia and vitamin B-12 deficiencies. Furthermore, it affects the nerves in your limbs, causing them to go numb.
Chronic use of ballon gas has been associated with memory problems and difficulty with attention and learning. People under the influence of nitrous oxide may experience impaired coordination and judgment, which increases the risk of falls, accidents, and injuries.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Affect the Brain?
Nitrous oxide blocks GABA-A receptors in the brain, leading to feelings of relaxation and reduced anxiety. It also causes people to experience euphoria by stimulating dopamine-releasing pathways within the brain.
Why Do People Use Nitrous Oxide?
People inhale nitrous oxide for one of two reasons: its therapeutic or euphoric effect.
In medical settings, nitrous oxide is commonly used as a painkiller and sedative for childbirth, dental care, and other medical procedures. It is administered in a controlled environment where the professionals are trained to use it safely and properly.
On the other hand, young people use nitrous oxide recreationally to experience a euphoric ‘high’. The effects last a few minutes, with people reporting enhanced sensory perception or distortion of space and time. Some people want to try the drug out of curiosity to compare them with different psychoactive substances.
Mixing Nitrous Oxide with Other Drugs
Mixing nitrous oxide with other drugs can be dangerous and increase the risk of adverse health effects. In addition, mixing ballon drugs with other drugs impairs coordination, and reaction time, increasing the chances of accident and injury.
When nitrous oxide is combined with nervous system depressants, such as benzodiazepines or alcohol, it can enhance the risk of respiratory depression, which may result in life-threatening effects due to oxygen deprivation.
Nitrous oxide can also react with opioids such as heroin, fentanyl, or oxycodone, which can increase the risk of respiratory depression and lead to overdose. When combined with other psychoactive substances, such as marijuana, it increases the risk of dizziness. Furthermore, mixing nitrous oxide may interact with medications used to treat mental health conditions, like antidepressants.
Nitrous oxide should never be smoked or mixed with any other substance, especially if someone has the genetic mutation methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). MTHFR can lead to the depletion of B vitamins which are necessary for the production of neurotransmitters that regulate anxiety and mood.
What Are the Dangers of Using Balloon Drugs?
Recreational users of laughing gas should be aware of its long-term health effects. It is essential to understand the potential hazards associated with using nitrous oxide and learn how to stay safe. Some dangerous effects of illicit nitrous oxide use are described below.
Asphyxiation
Using nitrous oxide for extended periods displaces oxygen from the lungs, causing hypoxia. Inhaling too much nitrous oxide directly from the canister can increase this risk further.
Frostbite
Inhaling nitrous oxide from a canister can cause cold burns on the lips and skin, which can be painful and cause permanent damage.
Addiction
While nitrous oxide was not previously considered a highly addictive drug, excessive use can result in nerve damage and other health problems, leading to psychological dependency.
Injuries and Accidents
The use of this gas can cause poor coordination, memory problems, and coordination issues, increasing the chances of accidents.
Legal Consequences
Recreational nitrous oxide is illegal in some countries, and those caught by law enforcement may face legal action. In the UK, nitrous oxide falls under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, which classifies it as a psychoactive substance that affects the way the brain works. While possessing nitrous oxide is legal, providing or exporting it can result in an unlimited fine and jail time.
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Is Nitrous Oxide Addictive?
Although nitrous oxide is not considered an addictive substance, some people may develop dose dependency and addiction due to repeated use. The mechanism of its addiction is poorly understood. Still, it is thought to be related to the drug’s ability to produce a dissociative effect.
Nitrous oxide works by inhibiting the action of neurotransmitters in the brain, primarily NMDA and glutamate receptors. This inhibition causes a decrease in the perception of pain and an increase in feelings of relaxation. However, excessive use can induce apoptosis, or the death of brain cells, and damage myelin – the material covering the neurons in the brain. With repeated use over more extended periods, the pleasurable feelings associated with the drug can lead to psychological addiction. Along with psychological dependency, some people may also experience physical dependence on the drug as they continue to use it to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Despite the potential health hazards, the risk of addiction to this balloon drug is still relatively low compared to other drugs in the market for abuse. Nitrous oxide differs from many other addictive drugs in that it does not stimulate the brain’s pleasure system. Instead, it deprives the brain of oxygen, leading to a head rush and a floaty sensation. Therefore, prolonged use can be dangerous and even life-threatening.
Can Nitrous Oxide Addiction be Treated?
People can successfully recover from nitrous oxide addiction with a programme of medication, therapy, and a support system.
Treatment with a specialist clinician will enable you to pinpoint the source of your addiction and create recovery strategies. They’ll also teach you techniques for managing symptoms and avoiding relapse.
Being able to rely on someone for support during difficult times can make a significant difference in your recovery from nitrous oxide abuse.
At Castle Craig residential addiction treatment centre, we offer a range of evidence-based treatment options for people struggling with addictions. While all care plans are tailored to the individual, a person residing with us at Castle Craig will typically be offered the types of intervention described below.
Detoxification
Medical professionals assist individuals with withdrawal from balloon drugs in a supervised setting to ensure comfort and relaxation.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This form of talk therapy allows individuals to discuss their feelings, patterns, consequences, and behaviours that may lead to addiction. The therapy focuses on coping strategies to overcome cravings and prevent relapse. Other individual therapies include motivational therapy and dialectical therapy.
12-Step Programme
Castle Craig offers a 12-Step programme with the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. The programme emphasises personal growth, spirituality, and social support during recovery. It uses a group therapy approach that provides a sense of community and support during the recovery process. Specialised licensed counsellors lead these sessions and discuss topics such as stress management, relapse prevention, and communication skills.
Family Therapy
Family therapy aims to repair damaged relationships due to addiction by providing family support to individuals during withdrawal.
Holistic Therapies
Castle Craig offers holistic therapies, such as meditation, yoga, and acupuncture, alongside core individual and group therapy sessions to promote emotional and physical well-being.
Aftercare
After detoxification, individuals receive ongoing support to maintain sobriety. Aftercare services may include support groups, help, and outpatient therapy.
We’re Ready to Help
Castle Craig provides world-renowned treatment programmes designed to meet individual needs. Multidisciplinary professionals and comprehensive treatment plans address all aspects of personal preferences for recovery. Support from others can make a significant difference in recovery from nitrous oxide abuse.
If you’re ready to get started, contact Castle Craig today. We are eager to answer your questions and provide confidential access to the care you require. You can reach us using our helpline at 01721 546 263.
FAQs
What Are the Effects of Nitrous Oxides on the Body?
Nitrous oxide can produce both positive and negative effects on the body. The positive effects include pain relief and sedation. However, misuse of the drug can result in dangerous and negative effects. Even small amounts of the drug can be harmful, leading to euphoria, impaired judgement, numbness, visual hallucinations, and oxygen deprivation.
Why is Nitrous Oxide So Harmful?
Nitrous oxide abuse can have serious health repercussions, such as seizures or death. Misuse of even small amounts of the drug can cause brain damage or oxygen deprivation, leading to death. It is important to seek professional assistance for balloon gas abuse.
Is Nitrous Oxide Toxic to Humans?
Yes, nitrous oxide is extremely dangerous and toxic to human consumption, depending upon the dose, duration of intake, and ability to tolerate the drug. This drug mainly produces toxic effects on the brain.
Is Nitrous Oxide the Same as Laughing Gas?
Yes, laughing gas is another name for nitrous oxide. This name comes from the drug’s tendency to cause euphoria and laughter in people.
References
- Daniulaityte, R., Carlson, R. G., Falck, R., & Cameron, D. (2014). “I do it on special occasions”: Examining nitrous oxide use in the club scene. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 46(5), 436-442
- Lee, J. D., & Dargan, P. I. (2012). Nitrous oxide-related deaths in the UK. Anaesthesia, 67(4), 354-357.
- Rose, S., & Corbett, R. (2017). Recreational use of nitrous oxide: Prevalence and risks. British Journal of Nursing, 26(2), 88-93.
- Wood, D. M., & Dargan, P. I. (2015). Novel psychoactive substances: Classification, pharmacology and toxicology. Novel Psychoactive Substances (pp. 13-30). Academic Press.
- Zvosec, D. L., Smith, S. W., Porrata, T., Strobl, A. Q., & Dyer, J. E. (2011). Case series of 226 consecutive patients with apparent nitrous oxide-induced vitamin B12 deficiency. Journal of Medical Toxicology, 7(1), 15-19
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