The Dangers Of Drinking Nail Polish Remover

Some young people have started drinking nail polish remover to try to get drunk. This is extremely dangerous because nail polish remover is not meant to be consumed and contains toxic chemicals that can seriously harm the body or even cause death. Some nail polish removers contain acetone or other chemicals that can make someone feel intoxicated, but these substances are poisonous when swallowed.

Young people may choose nail polish remover because it’s easy to find at home or in stores, it’s cheap, and they don’t need an ID to buy it. This trend is often a sign of serious substance use disorder problems that need immediate help. Parents and caregivers should know about this dangerous practice and watch for warning signs that a young person might be misusing household chemicals.

Additionally, this behavior may be most commonly reported among teenagers and young adults, but it also occurs in adults with severe alcohol use disorder who are seeking alcohol substitutes.

Reasons People Drink Nail Polish Remover

Some types of nail polish remover contain alcohol. Young people who are not yet old enough to buy alcoholic beverages purchase the product as a substitute because it causes them to feel intoxicated.

Besides drinking it, some may apply it directly to their skin or intentionally inhale its vapors in an act called “huffing” because these methods can both cause someone to become intoxicated.

Intentionally inhaling chemical vapors carries its own serious risks, including sudden sniffing death syndrome, a potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmia that can occur even on a first use. Inhalant use disorder is a recognized clinical condition that requires professional treatment.

The low price of nail polish remover seems to be a factor for those who drink it, since young people often have a limited amount of cash. Lastly, many young people drink nail polish remover because it is a common household product. They believe that no one will find out what they are doing if they have it in their possession.

Why Is It Dangerous To Drink Nail Polish Remover?

The dangers of drinking nail polish remover are due to the acetone the product contains. Acetone is a ketone that the body produces naturally in small amounts during fat metabolism. However, the concentration of acetone in nail polish remover is far higher than what the body produces. And when ingested in these quantities, it overwhelms the liver’s ability to process it, leading to toxic effects.

This is especially dangerous for those who have either type-one or type-two diabetes because it will cause their blood sugar level to become so high that they can go into a coma. The ingestion of a high amount of acetone can also lead to a person’s death because they could be poisoned by it.

Symptoms Of Acetone Poisoning

Young people are often very good at hiding their substance use disorder issues by drinking or getting high only when they are left unsupervised. As their addiction worsens, they will begin to take more risks because their body will start to crave a higher amount of the substance as they develop a tolerance to it.

Unfortunately, this can lead to acetone poisoning, a condition that requires emergency treatment at a hospital. The liquid is absorbed into the body very quickly, though.

Parents can tell if their son or daughter may have been poisoned by acetone by checking them for the following symptoms:

• low blood pressure
• lethargy
• sweet, fruity odor coming from the mouth
• severe headache
• slurred speech
• lack of physical coordination
• unconsciousness
• decreased respiration
• coma

Treatment for acetone poisoning requires immediate emergency medical care. Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) immediately if you suspect someone has ingested nail polish remover.

Do not induce vomiting, as the corrosive liquid can damage the esophagus. Medical treatment may include activated charcoal or supportive care, depending on the amount consumed and time elapsed.

Other Dangers Of Drinking Nail Polish Remover

The long-term use of nail polish remover can cause other health problems besides the dangers of acetone poisoning. The liver and kidneys can shut down, which means that a person who is addicted to the substance will probably need an organ transplant to survive. There is also a possibility of nerve damage, brain damage, and internal bleeding from the damage to the stomach and esophagus that nail polish remover causes. Young women who consume nail polish remover while they are pregnant have an increased risk of their baby being born with birth defects.

It is also important to mention that there are several other chemicals in nail polish remover besides acetone that can cause cancer in someone who regularly ingests them.

Find Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Young people who drink nail polish remover are likely facing serious substance use disorder issues that may extend beyond this single dangerous behavior. They may also be drinking regular alcohol, cough syrup, mouthwash, or other products containing alcohol or intoxicating substances.

This pattern of consuming anything available to get high shows a level of desperation that requires immediate professional intervention. The behavior indicates that the person needs help right away before they suffer permanent damage or fatal consequences.

Anyone caught drinking nail polish remover needs to be evaluated immediately by an addiction specialist who can assess the severity of their substance use disorder problem and recommend appropriate treatment.

Treatment options include alcohol rehab programs specifically designed for young people, inpatient treatment for intensive care and supervision, outpatient counseling, family therapy, and dual diagnosis treatment if mental health issues are contributing to the addiction.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff