How
prevalent is inhalant abuse in the United States?
What kinds of products are abused
by young people?
What can happen to children who abuse
inhalants?
What are the warning signs of inhalant
abuse?
What can parents do if they suspect
their child is abusing inhalants?
How prevalent is Inhalant Abuse
in the United States?
Over 2.1 million kids, ages 12 - 17, have used an Inhalant to get
high. 1 out of 5 school-aged children in America has intentionally abused a common
household product to get high by the time they reach the eighth grade.
Because Inhalants are easily accessible they tend to be a drug of
first use. In fact, they are as popular as marijuana among young people.
Inhalant Abuse, also called "sniffing" and "huffing,"
usually begins at age 10 or 11. Children as young as six, however,
begin experimenting with Inhalants. No
one knows for certain how many lives Inhalant Abuse claims each year
because Inhalant Abuse deaths often are attributed to other causes.
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What kinds of products are abused
by young people?
There are more than a 1,400 products which
are potentially dangerous when inhaled, such as typewriter correction
fluid, air conditioning coolant, gasoline, felt tip markers, spray
paint, air freshener, butane, cooking spray, paint, and glue. Most
are common products that can be found in the home, garage, office,
school or as close as the local convenience store. For a
more complete list, please click on the "abusable products"
icon under the "What is Inhalant Abuse" section of this
website.
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What can happen to children who
abuse Inhalants?
Children can die anytime they abuse an Inhalant-including the first
time. This is called Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome. Inhalant Abuse
damages the brain and other vital organs, including the heart, kidneys
and liver. So, children who don't die may become brain-damaged or
otherwise severely impaired. And because Inhalants are highly addictive,
still others may progress to abusing illegal drugs or alcohol. This
is why inhalants are often referred to as "gateway drugs."
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What are the warning signs of
Inhalant Abuse?
Common inhalant abuse warning signs include: glassy, glazed or watery
eyes; behavioral/mood changes; slurred speech; loss of appetite;
problems in school; and excitability or irritability. In addition,
however, there are material signs that parents should be aware of.
These include: chemical odors on the breath or clothing, signs of
paint or other products on the face or fingers (including typewriter
correction fluid used as nail polish), spots or sores around the
nose or mouth, gasoline- or paint-soaked rags in a child's room,
used spray paint cans in a child's room or other peculiar location,
empty or partially-filled butane cigarette lighters, and missing
household products. The materials signs are important to note because
many of the physical symptoms may not last very long.
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What can parents do if they suspect that their children
are abusing Inhalants?
Seek professional advice immediately. Call your family physician,
a school nurse, counselor or the poison control center to discuss
specific concerns and how to best broach the subject with your child.
But even before you notice a potential warning sign, talk to your
child about the safe and proper use of household products and the
dangers of Inhalant Abuse.
Parenting isn't easy. It requires both
good communication and listening skills with your child. Don't be
afraid to ask the tough questions. Don't be afraid to ask where
your child is going and with whom. Get to know their friends. Know
what they are doing after school hours (between 3:00pm and 6:00pm
are critical times). Monitor activities, and don't be afraid to
set boundaries.
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