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CBS News reported that inhalant abuse has killed 2.6 million teenagers across the U.S. Huffing has become a serious problem among our youth.
Inhalant abuse is the deliberate inhalation or sniffing of common products found in homes and in the community with the purpose to get “high”. These products are easily accessible, legal and in most cases are everyday products. Inhalants are addictive and cause more harm to the human body than mainstream drugs (marijuana and alcohol). The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that one in five American teens has used inhalants to get high. In 2006 adolescents aged 12-17 account for 8% of admissions to substance abuse treatment across the U.S. They represent 48% of all admissions reporting inhalants. SAMHSA’s (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) 2002 National Survey for Drug Use also reports that lifetime use of inhalant use has doubled between the 12 and 17 year-olds from 4.8% in 1998 to 10.5% in 2002. Partnership for a Drug Free America states that inhalants are most commonly abused by 12-13 year-olds. Teenagers refer inhalation as being huffing or sniffing. Huffing is when a chemically soaked rag is held to the face or stuffed in the mouth then inhaled. Sniffing can be done directly from containers, plastic bags, clothing (soaked on their clothing so they can sniff throughout the day) or rags saturated with a substance and stored in a plastic bag. What Are Adolescents Inhaling?Adolescents and even children as young as 6 years old (in the Innu community of Sheshatshiu in Labrador) are using adhesives, solvents, gases, aerosols, cleaning products and food products. Some products include: glues, rubber cements, nail polish remover, paint thinner, paint remover, correction fluid, toxic magic markers, toluene, lighter fluid, gasoline, carburetor cleaner, octane booster, spray paint, hairspray, air fresheners, deodorants, computer cleaners, compressed air, spot removers, degreasers, cooking sprays and whipping cream. Why is Inhalant Use Rapidly Increasing?Huffing and sniffing provide a very fast high giving that light headed drunkenness feeling. When other drugs or alcohol are not within reach, inhalants always are. All these products are legal, relatively inexpensive and very easy to obtain. Inhalants do not show up in drug testing. Health AffectsHarvey Weiss runs the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition. He states, “Anytime that you use this stuff it can be a fatal episode.” Impaired kidneys and liver, permanent brain damage, memory and hearing loss and addiction is no laughing matter. Sadly, Warner Brothers saw comedy in the form of inhalation in their PG –rated movie Scooby Doo 2. Scooby and Shaggy are in the fridge laughing as they inhale the gas from the tin of whipping cream. Sudden sniffing death is when highly concentrated amounts of chemicals in solvents or aerosol sprays are used, especially when fluorocarbons or butane-type gases are used. Also, high concentrations of inhalants can lead to displacement of oxygen in the lungs and the central nervous system resulting in death by suffocation. Warning SignsIf you think your teenager might be involved in this form of drug abuse the following is a partial list of warning signs.
To Learn MoreTo learn more about this insidious form of drug use the Alliance for Consumer Education and the Centre For Addiction and Mental Health are good starting points.
The copyright of the article Substance Abuse: Huffing in Substance Abuse is owned by Karen Stephenson. Permission to republish Substance Abuse: Huffing in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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