Teen huffing
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported in 2011 that nearly ten percent of teens aged twelve and up had tried huffing. Inhalant abuse, or teen huffing, is a term used to describe the process of inhaling chemical vapors through the mouth and/or nose. Chemicals are poured onto a rag or into a bag and then held over the nose/mouth to be inhaled. They can also be inhaled directly by sniffing vapors from their containers or by spraying directly into the mouth or nose. Fumes from these products can create stupor-like symptoms, including loss of muscle control, for as long as 45 minutes.
Oftentimes, youth will “chase the high” by engaging in the behavior multiple times in a row. Unfortunately, continued abuse increases their chances of suffering from permanent brain damage or damage to major organs and bone marrow production.
Huffing is the 3rd most abused substance by teenagers and is an increasing problem in today’s society. What makes them so dangerous is their availability and cheap cost. For this reason, teenagers are not aware of the dangers that exist.
Just about any solvent-based household product can be huffed. Some of the substances to look for:
– Rubber cement
– Room deodorizer spray
– Hair spray
– Paint thinner
– Nail polish remover
– Felt-tip markers
Some of the warning signs and symptoms of teen huffing are:
- Drunken appearance
- Glassy, dilated, or constricted eyes
- Loss of appetite, accompanied by weight loss
- Pale skin
- Slurred speech
- Rashes/sores around mouth or nose
- A perpetually runny or red nose
- Excessive sweating
- Restlessness or nervousness
- The odor of chemical-like scents on breath or clothing
- Disorientation
- Paint or ink on fingers or face with no explanation
- Increased irritability, anxiety and restlessness
- Frequent or constant access to markers
- Carrying rags or sniffing clothing (sleeves or collars) consistently
Some short-term effects may include:
- Dizziness
- Hallucinations
- Nausea or vomiting
- Impaired judgment
Long-term effects may include:
- Suffocation
- Cardiac arrest
- Choking
- Brain damage
- Muscle damage
- Bone marrow damage
- Cancer—many inhalants are carcinogenic.
Inhalant abuse can lead to addiction. One of the treatment methods that can help with inhalant addiction is behavioral therapy. Based upon the idea that behaviors are learned and can therefore be “unlearned.” Long-term care is necessary as withdrawal symptoms can last for weeks and relapse is common.
Early education is critical in the prevention of teen huffing. Making our teenagers aware about the dangers associated with inhalants and huffing can increase the chances of them not abusing in the first place.
