Huffing and Teens
National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week is March 18-24
Inhalant use is on the rise. How much do you really know about this popular and dangerous trend among youth?
Who is doing it? “One in five students in America has used an inhalant to get high by the time he or she reaches the eighth grade.” (National Inhalant Prevention Coalition, “What is NIPAW?” ). Among younger kids, inhalant use is more prevalent than other drug use because of easy accessibility. Unfortunately, many of the items used for huffing are common products that kids can easily get their hands on at home and at school.
What are they using? Though most any chemical that can gives off breathable vapors can be used for huffing, the following are among the most common:
- Spray paint and paint thinners
- Correction fluid and felt tip markers
- Glue
- Gasoline
- Furniture polish and air fresheners
- Dry cleaning fluids
- Deodorant sprays and hairsprays
- Fabric protector sprays
- Vegetable cooking sprays
- Propane gas
- Degreasers
- Dry cleaning fluids
- Tape head cleaners
- Aerosol whipped cream propellants
What are the signs and symptoms? Huffing can cause anxiety, excitability, dizziness, paranoia, or nausea. Kids may lose their appetites, laugh strangely or seem drunk. You may notice runny eyes or sores around their mouths, or paint or other stains on their clothes or skin. Kids who use inhalants may sweat excessively and have a chemical smell on their breath. Finding markers in pockets or plastic bags of cotton balls or rags soaked with chemicals are also red flags. You may also notice a withdrawal from family and friends, and a general apathy about things that were once important. Kids who use inhalants and other drugs are at increased risk for depression.
How dangerous are inhalants? Very. Inhalants slow down bodily functions and produce a feeling of euphoria that lasts only a few minutes. This short duration effect can encourage repeated and more concentrated episodes. Sudden Sniffing Death can occur during any huffing episode, even the first time. In addition, teens who use bags to inhale or do so in smaller spaces are at increased risk of death by suffocation. Because much inhalant use happens when kids are alone, there is often no one around to help them in an emergency situation. Kids also risk long-term damage to the brain, liver, and kidneys, as well as hearing loss, bone marrow, brain, and central nervous system damage.
Get kids involved. Go to National Inhalant Prevention Coalition for information on how to sign up to be a partner for National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week. You will receive a Local Coordinator’s kit and weekly updates about NIPAW events around the country. Your kit will include educational materials and campaign activity suggestions, as well as sample PR materials. It’s a great way to get kids involved with this issue in a proactive, leadership role.
You may also be interested in checking out Alcopops and Teens or Teen Tobacco Prevention for more on teen addictions.
