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National Inhalant & Poisons Awareness Week
March 15 - 21
Inhalant Awareness
Published in the Douglas County News
By Andrea Zielinski
Sniffing, bagging, and huffing. These are some of the names for breathing the gas, fumes, or vapors of chemicals in order to get high. It is every bit as dangerous as alcohol or other drug use. It can lead to addiction, brain damage and death - sometimes on the very first experience. What is inhalant use?
Inhalant use refers to the intentional breathing of gas or vapors with the purpose of reaching a high. Inhalants are legal, everyday products which have a useful purpose, but can be misused. You're probably familiar with many of these substances - paint, glue and others. But you probably don't know that there are more than 1,000 products that are very dangerous when inhaled -things like typewriter correction fluid, air-conditioning refrigerant, felt tip markers, the propellant in aerosol whipped cream, nail polish remover, spray paint, air fresheners, butane and even cooking spray. Who is at risk? Inhalants are an equal opportunity method of substance abuse. Statistics show that young, white males have the highest usage rates. Hispanic and American Indian populations also show high rates of usage. What are the signs of inhalant use? Early recognition of inhalant abuse is important for parents and physicians. Signs include chemical odors on the breath or clothes, paint or other stains on skin or clothes, slurred speech and drunk or disoriented appearance, nausea or lack of appetite, and inattentiveness and lack of coordination. What are the effects of inhalant abuse? Inhaled chemicals travel rapidly from the lungs through the blood to the brain and other organs. In minutes, the user feels alcohol-like effects such as slurred speech, clumsy movements, dizziness, and euphoria. Other effects might include lightheadedness, hallucinations, delusions, and, after heavy use of inhalants, drowsiness and a lingering headache. Inhaled nitrites dilate blood vessels, increase heart rate, and produce a sensation of heat and excitement. It takes about two weeks for inhalants to leave the body and in that time a person may continue to feel nausea and possibly lose weight. Huffing damages the brain, affecting memory, concentration, hearing, and coordination. Over time permanent brain damage is possible. Chronic use of inhalants can also cause heart, lung, liver, and kidney damage. Inhalants can kill - "Sudden sniffing death syndrome" can occur during or right after sniffing. The heart begins to overwork, beating quickly and unevenly, which can lead to cardiac arrest. Sudden sniffing death syndrome is mostly linked with the abuse of butane, propane, and chemicals in aerosols. A person using inhalants also can die from choking or lack of oxygen. This can happen the 1st time, the 10th time, or the 100th time a person uses inhalants. What if I find my child huffing? If you discover your child huffing, sniffing or bagging, stay calm. If your child is breathing, move to a well-ventilated area and call the local poison control center. If your child is unconscious or not breathing, seek emergency medical help. If your child has been abusing inhalants for some time, withdrawal symptoms — sleep disturbances, irritability, nausea, vomiting, sweating, rapid heartbeat, hallucinations or delusions — are possible. If your child can't stop huffing, sniffing or bagging on his or her own, seek professional help. Start with your child's doctor, a school counselor or a local drug rehabilitation facility. The support of a mental health professional may be valuable as well. What should I tell my child or students about inhalants? It is never too early to teach your children about the dangers of inhalants. Don't just say "not my kid." Inhalant use starts as early as elementary school and is considered a gateway to further substance abuse. Parents often remain ignorant of inhalant use or do not educate their children until it is too late. Inhalants are not drugs. They are poisons and toxins and should be discussed as such. You can find more about Inhalant Abuse and other drug abuse information on the Umpqua Partners website at www.updrugfree.org.
