Huffing, Don't Let Kids Learn the Hard Way

What is huffing?

Huffing is a term meaning the intentional inhaling of a chemical, often some household product, to achieve an Intoxication effect. These chemicals can include:

Volatile (vaporizing/evaporating quickly) solvents such as paint thinners/removers, dry-cleaning fluids, degreasers, gasoline, glues, correction fluids, and felt-tip marker fluids.

Aerosols such as spray paints, deodorant and hair sprays, vegetable oil sprays for cooking, and fabric protector sprays.

Nitrites (chemicals that come from nitrous acid).  Air fresheners contain one form of nitrite. Another form, Amyl nitrite, is sometimes prescribed for heart pain. Illegal samples of amyl nitrite are called "poppers" or "snappers."

Gases such as ether, chloroform, halothane, and nitrous oxide ("laughing gas"). Butane lighters, propane tanks, whipped cream dispensers, and refrigerants contain gases that can be inhaled.

Who is huffing?

According to the most recent national survey from National Families in Action, unlike most drugs of abuse, younger adolescents are the ones most likely to use Inhalants. This is likely due to the easy accessibility and relative low costs involved.   At least one in every five eighth graders admit to having abused inhalants. 

Damage to Body Caused by Inhalants

• Acoustic nerve and muscle: Destruction of cells that relay sound to the brain may cause deafness.
• Blood: The oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood can be inhibited.
• Bone marrow: Components containing benzene have been shown to cause leukemia.
• Brain: Damage is also caused to the cerebral cortex and the cerebellum, resulting in personality changes, memory impairment, Hallucinations, loss of coordination, and slurred speech.
• Heart: Sudden sniffing death (SSD) syndrome,* an unexpected disturbance in the heart's rhythm, may cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias (heart failure).
• Lungs: Damaged lungs and impaired breathing occurs with repeated use.
• Muscle: Chronic use can lead to muscle wasting and reduced muscle tone and strength.
• Peripheral nervous system: Damage to the nerves may result in numbness, tingling, and paralysis.
• Skin: A severe rash around the nose and mouth, referred to as "glue sniffer's rash," may result.

*SSD syndrome may result when a user deeply inhales a chemical for the effect of intoxication. This causes a decrease in available oxygen in the body. If the user becomes startled or engages in sudden physical activity, an increased flow of adrenaline from the brain to the heart induces cardiac arrest and death occurs within minutes.

 "Even a single session of repeated inhalant abuse can disrupt heart rhythms and cause death from cardiac arrest or lower oxygen levels enough to cause suffocation," notes Alan Leshner, PhD, former director of NIDA. "Regular abuse of these substances can result in serious harm to vital organs, including the brain, heart, kidneys, and liver."

In classrooms and other places where we speak to children about drugs there is an increasing number who ask about inhalants.  The questions are of the kind of specific nature that leads us to believe that the interest is not all academic. 

With one out of five eighth graders having at least experimented with inhalants, it is imperative that we act and act now to inform them of the real dangers involved.

What can we do about the problem?

The first thing is to abandon any idea that some kids are immune.  This is a phenomenon that can occur in any neighborhood, any income level and any ethnicity.  

These products are already in the garage, under the sink and in the office.

Kids find one of these chemicals and don't feel that there can be that much harm in "just playing around" with it a time or two.  But the effects can be addictive and playing around can lead to a serious problem in very short order. 

So we MUST see to it that every child is aware of the dangers of poisonous chemicals and exactly which chemicals are to be avoided. Ensure that the chemicals you purchase are clearly labeled and still keep them out of sight or reach. Any poisons in the home without a warning label can easily be labeled by parents.

Learning the hard way can be deadly.

Finally, when should we begin teaching children to avoid dangerous chemicals?  About the same time we start teaching them to stay out of traffic.   Children have to be made aware.  Explain to kids the dangerous nature of these substances and what the consequences of poisoning can be.

Kids don't walk out in front of a speeding truck out of curiosity.  Why?

Because they truly understand that the effects of doing so are dangerous, debilitating and painful.   If they have that solid an understanding about the damage of huffing they'll avoid it too.

Toll Free: 888-9NO-DRUGS or 888-966-3784