addicted to smelling rubbing alcohol

Rubbing Alcohol is a common chemical solvent. You can find it either in its standalone liquid form or in solvents, including disinfectants, pharmaceuticals, inks, antifreeze, etc.

Though have you ever noticed its smell? Isn’t it similar to the ones present in healthcare departments, especially testing labs and hospitals?

However, whatever it is, the Rubbing Alcohol smell isn’t pleasant at all. But even with that, though, one cannot deny the fact that smelling/ inhaling Rubbing Alcohol can become addictive.

Smelling Rubbing Alcohol isn’t common, but it isn’t uncommon as well. We smell this solvent directly or indirectly multiple times in our day-to-day life. The moment you open the Isopropyl bottle for any purpose, you take a second to sniff it.

Or, for all the times you use hand sanitizers, you cannot deny you purposely or non-purposely sniff it from your hands. At first, it may look like a mischievous activity, but it can also grow into addiction with time.  

Why am I addicted to smelling Rubbing Alcohol?

There are no factful or scientific reasons behind liking the idea of smelling Rubbing Alcohol. It is simply a habit that with time turns into an addiction.

Take it similarly to how you quickly sniff it every time you open a shoe polish or nail paint remover b

Does it serve a purpose? No, but we humans have that kick of doing things that aren’t actually meant to do. Or maybe because the smell of Rubbing Alcohol, Shoe Polish, Petrol and other such products fascinates a lot of us.

Is inhaling Rubbing Alcohol harmful?

Is it safe to inhale Rubbing Alcohol vapor? Well, Individuals who have ever drunk Rubbing Alcohol will agree that it tastes way different from consuming Alcohol.

Due to its bitter, burning, and intoxicating taste, Rubbing Alcohol is not meant for drinking. Leave alone drinking; even inhaling Rubbing Alcohol can prove harmful.

Rubbing Alcohol, though, is a wonderful daily-use solvent, but for any internal use, it is poisonous.

Even though merely inhaling a bit of it won’t like to prove harmful, it can result problematic in some ways and circumstances.

Inhaling Rubbing Alcohol or its vapor in high quantity can lead to Alcohol nostalgia. Exposure to a high concentration of Rubbing Alcohol has proven incidents of narcotic effect.

Specifically, sniffing concentrations like 70%, 91%, and 99% Isopropyl can lead to several health hazards.

Can inhaling Rubbing Alcohol kill you?

Yes, definitely. Inhaling high concentrations (91% or 99%) of Rubbing Alcohol frequently and continuously can even kill an individual.

The narcotic effects of this chemicalized solvent can lead to headaches, staggering, dizziness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, and even death sometimes.

It is because the high level of Isopropyl inhalation will huff with your brain cells.

Though, unless an individual is not going beyond a level, inhaling Rubbing Alcohol will less likely lead to death. Here are a few unwanted circumstances they might have to encounter.

Isopropyl Alcohol inhalation side effects

  • Excitability
  • Euphoria
  • Hallucinations
  • Diarrhea
  • Severe pains and nausea
  • Possible bleeding
  • Vomiting
  • Slurred speech
  • Loss of self-control
  • Loss of coordination
  • Lightheadedness
  • Dizziness
  • Limited reflexes
  • Loss of coordination
  • Blacking out
  • Slurred or distorted speech
  • CNS respiratory depression
  • Shock and respiratory failure
  • Low blood pressure
  • Difficulty in breathing

Long term effects of Inhalant usage include:

  • Liver and kidney damage
  • Loss of coordination and limb spasms
  • Nerve damage
  • Delayed behavioral development
  • Hearing loss
  • Bone marrow damage
  • Brain damage
  • Death

Can inhaling Rubbing Alcohol get you high?

Inhaling the vapor of Rubbing Alcohol for long can definitely get an individual high. What happens is, when someone inhales a high concentration of vapor of Alcohol, it absorbs into their lungs.

It further passes into the bloodstream and ultimately into the brain showing immediate effects of getting high.

However, nothing minor or major may happen with a small amount of Inhalation.

Sniffing Alcohol wipes side effects- Are there any?

Usually, the Alcohol wipes available in the market do not have a very high concentration of Alcohol. That is, even when you sniff them for a minute or longer, nothing actually will impact them.

Sniffing Rubbing Alcohol and anaemia: Is there any relation between the two?

Over several online platforms, individuals from across the world claim that due to their anaemic condition, they feel like sniffing Rubbing Alcohol.

Even though the science behind the same isn’t explained well, anaemic patients often talk about their sheer desire to sniff Alcohol.

Not only that, but several types of research also claim that iron deficiency can also lead to Alcohol addiction or desire for certain food items.

However, the strongest desire for iron deficiency cause is of smelling Alcohol or other such strong solvents.

Though individuals worldwide who were suffering from Anaemia and the habit of sniffing Alcohol claim that once their Iron deficiency got cured, they no longer wanted to smell Alcohol.

Why do I crave the smell of Alcohol?

Like for food or drink, an individual can also crave the smell of Alcohol. It happens because of the neurochemical response in the brain that at times leads to reinstating Alcohol-seeking behavior. The smell of Alcohol also increases the dopamine levels in the brain that further inducing more craving.

Can a pregnant woman smell Rubbing Alcohol?

Consuming Rubbing or Drinking Alcohol in any way can prove harmful for a pregnant woman.

Be it is about the smell, absorbing or drinking the liquid, pregnant and lactating women should refrain from doing so. 

Smelling, sniffing, or inhaling Rubbing Alcohol during pregnancy can lead to liver, kidney, and brain damage for a woman. Or it can also lead to miscarriage (of the baby) or death (of the pregnant women).

How can I overcome my addiction to smelling and sniffing Rubbing Alcohol?

There’s nothing better than getting over an addiction. Especially if the addiction is to alcohol, you are definitely doing great for leaving it behind.

Here are a few tips and tricks you can try and see whether it helps.

  1. Firstly, make a strong determination.
  2. Take a paper, write “I will no more smell or sniff Rubbing Alcohol,” and paste it somewhere you can see daily. 
  3. Remove all the means of Rubbing Alcohol from your home, office, etc. Consider using organic sanitizers and wipes. 
  4. For the times when you feel like sniffing Rubbing Alcohol, go for a short walk outside. 
  5. Read about the disadvantages of sniffing Rubbing Alcohol and other such solvents daily. 
  6. Develop new and healthy interests. For example, read a book, cook a new dish, get into gardening, make friends, go hiking, and more. 
  7. Keep distance from friends and people who encourage you to use Rubbing Alcohol purposely. 

Wrapping up…

Addiction to consuming Rubbing Alcohol is bad in all senses. Neither is it good to drink nor is it meant for smelling. Such addictions can abuse most detrimental to an individual’s health.

To start with, try your level best and leave this habit. However, if the process seems difficult to you, you can always reach inpatient Alcohol rehabilitation for expert guidance and help.