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Inhalant Abuse Tip Card
Inhalant Abuse Fact Sheet

Inhalant Abuse

"Huffing", "bagging", and "sniffing are terms" for inhalant use, the intentional breathing of gas or vapors with the purpose of reaching a high. Inhalants are legal, everyday products that have useful purposes, but can be misused. Many of these substances such as paint, glue and cooking spray can be commonly found in homes, school, stores and many other locations. There are more than 1,000 products that are very dangerous when inhaled -- things like typewriter correction fluid, air-conditioning refrigerant, felt tip markers, spray paint, air freshener, butane and even spray whipped topping.

According to national surveys, inhaling dangerous products is becoming one of the most widespread problems in the country. It is estimated that when a student reaches the 8th grade, one in five will have used inhalants. Adolescents are quickly discovering that common household products are inexpensive to obtain, easy to hide and the easiest way to get high.

Inhalants can have damaging and even disastrous effects on the heart, kidney, brain, liver, bone marrow and other organs. Inhalant users can also suffer from Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome, heart or lung failure, asphyxiation, and paralysis of breathing mechanisms, which can occur on the 1st, 10th or at anytime an inhalant is used. Inhalants are physically and psychologically addicting and users suffer withdrawal symptoms.

Inhalant Prevention Tips

• It is never too early to teach children about the dangers of inhalant use.
  
• Be aware of the signs of use: paint or stains on the body or clothing, loss of appetite or nausea, a chemical breath odor, spots or sores around the mouth and nose, red or runny eyes or nose, anxiety or a drunk and dazed appearance.
• Know what items in your home could be used as an inhalant and monitor their use
  
• If you suspect your child or someone you know is an inhalant abuser, seek professional help immediately

What to do in case of an emergency:

• If you find your child unconscious or you suspect your child is under the influence of an inhalant:
  
  • Call 911 immediately.
  • Keep child calm, reduce cardiac stress
    
  • Try to determine the source of the inhalant so the medical professionals can help more quickly.
• If you suspect your child might be abusing inhalants, call your poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 or the 1-800 number on the label of the product.

Resources

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at http://www.health.org

US Consumer Product Safety Commission at http://www.cpsc.gov

National Inhalant Prevention Coalition at http://www.inhalants.org

Downloads

Download Inhalant Abuse Brochure (English)

Download Inhalant Abuse Brochure (Spanish)

Visit http://www.vahealth.org/civp/pubscivp.asp to view and order tip cards on this and other injury and violence prevention topics.