Huffing / Inhalants

There are over 1000 common household and classroom products (including gel pens) that can be used as inhalant drugs. This form of abuse is termed 'Huffing.' This form of abuse is on the rise with our young people at alarming rates. These products are so common that you wouldn't likely be alarmed if your children were buying them. e.g. hairspray, whipped cream, or air freshener often contain butane or toluene propellants which harm the liver, kidneys, bone marrow and brain.


1 out of 5 kids have tried 'Huffing' prior to 7th grade. It is the 3rd most common form of drug abuse behind tobacco and alcohol. Huffing is one of the scariest habits because it so easily goes un-noticed and can lead to severe damage and even a condition called 'Sudden Sniffing Death.'


WARNING SIGNS:
- Chemical smell on child or clothing
- Correction fluid on nose, fingers, or clothes
- Markers in pockets
- Red eyes, nonsensical talk, irritability
- Unusual breath odor
- Decreased appetite
- Frequent headaches
- Sores around mouth
- Lack of concentration
- Low grades, school absences




Inhalants affect your brain. Inhalants are substances or fumes from products such as glue or paint thinner that are sniffed or "huffed" to cause an immediate high. Because they affect your brain with much greater speed and force than many other substances, they can cause irreversible physical and mental damage before you know what's happened.
Inhalants affect your heart. Inhalants starve the body of oxygen and force the heart to beat irregularly and more rapidly--that can be dangerous for your body.
Inhalants damage other parts of your body. People who use inhalants can lose their sense of smell; experience nausea and nosebleeds; and develop liver, lung, and kidney problems. Chronic use can lead to muscle wasting and reduced muscle tone and strength.
Inhalants can cause sudden death. Inhalants can kill you instantly. Inhalant users can die by suffocation, choking on their vomit, or having a heart attack.


Some long term abuse of inhalants can result in serious harm to vital organs in the body, including the brain, heart, kidneys, and liver. The vaporous fumes can change brain chemistry and may permanently damage the brain and central nervous system. They can cause abnormalities in brain areas that are involved in movement and high cognitive function. Frequent, long-term use can cause a permanent change or malfunction of nerves, called polyneuropathy. Certain inhalants can also cause the body to produce fewer of all types of blood cells, which may result in a disorder called aplastic anemia.
Other symptoms seen by long-term inhalant abusers include weight loss, muscle weakness, disorientation, inattentiveness, uncoordinated movement, irritability, and depression.