Which of the following is a common side effect of inhalant use?

Confusion and disorientation is a common side effect of inhalant use because inhalants act as depressants on the central nervous system. When inhaled, these substances can impair cognitive functions and affect a person's ability to think clearly, make judgments, and respond appropriately to their environment. This disruption in mental clarity leads to symptoms like confusion, disorientation, and altered perception of reality. Inhalants can also result in a range of other neurological effects, but confusion and disorientation are particularly prevalent due to the acute effects of these substances on brain function.

The other options, while they may have connections to substance use in general, do not specifically relate to the rapid and immediate cognitive impairments often associated with inhalant use. Increased appetite and excessive sleepiness are more associated with other drug categories, whereas persistent coughing might occur due to respiratory irritation from inhaling substances, but it doesn't represent the cognitive impairments that are most characteristic of inhalant use.