Inhalant Abuse: Huffing, Puffing, and Blowing Houses Down

WLG 409
Inhalant Abuse: Huffing, Puffing,
and Blowing Houses Down
Terry Patterson, Director, WVU Extension Service Special Programs and Initiatives
Elizabeth Post, WVU Extension Agent, Lewis County
Educational
Objectives
1.To understand inhalant abuse
and its dangers.
2.To learn the warning signs
and consequences
of inhalant abuse.
3.To learn ways to prevent inhalant
abuse among
youths.
There is great concern
about the use of illegal
drugs and narcotics, such as
marijuana, heroin, cocaine,
and methamphetamines.
The media often report the
devastating consequences
resulting from the abuse of
these illicit and often deadly
substances. And, there
is growing concern about
the misuse of prescription
medications that may pose
harmful – even fatal –
consequences. But what
about common items in the
home? What about hairspray,
nonstick cooking spray,
felt-tipped markers, and
refrigerated canned whipped
cream? Most people have no
idea that the unintended use of these common products can produce
serious, if not deadly, results. The dangers are real and the side
effects severe.
Inhalant Abuse
Inhalant abuse is the intentional inhalation of chemicals that
are commonly found in the home for the purpose of obtaining
a “high” feeling.
Most Commonly Abused Products
More than 1,400 products are very dangerous when inhaled –
when not used for their intended purpose. Some common ones are:
– continued –
WVU Extension Service Families and Health Programs
Ways Inhalants Are Abused
Three typical ways in which inhalants
are abused:
● Huffing – soaking a rag, sock, or roll of
toilet paper in a substance and pressing
it to the mouth
● Sniffing – sniffing fumes from an aerosol container or spraying directly into the
mouth or nose
● Bagging – inhaling fumes sprayed into
a plastic or paper bag
Aerosols
Deodorant
Paint Air Freshener
Fire Extinguishers
Street Names for Inhalants
Hairspray
Computer Cleaner
Nonstick Cooking Spray
Gases
Propane
Butane
Helium (for balloons)
Whipped Cream (refrigerated, canned)
Volatile Solvents
Gasoline
Paint Thinner
Rubber Cement
Lighter Fluid
Kerosene
Felt-tipped Markers
Correction Fluid
Dry-cleaning
Fluids
Turpentine
Degreaser
Paint Remover
Inhalant abusers use more than 45 known
“slang” terms for inhalants. These include:
Whippets
Hippie Crack
Bang
High Ball
Poppers
Oz
Rush
Snot Balls
Air Blast
Honey Oil
Moon Gas
The Bolt
Shoot the Breeze Buzz Bomb
Poor Man’s Pot
Locker Room
Model Airplane Glue
Nail Polish Remover
Who Is Involved
Adolescents and preteens are most likely to
be first-time abusers of common household
products. These items are easily and legally
available, generally are inexpensive to buy,
and are readily accessible in homes, schools,
camps, and other community settings.
Prevalence of Inhalant Abuse
Inhalants have proven to be to be an equal
opportunity substance for abuse. Statistics
show that young, white males have the
highest usage rates.
WVU Extension Service Families and Health Programs
However, according to the 2008 National
Survey on Drug Use and Health, 729,000
people ages 12 and older had used inhalants for
the first time in the past 12 months. Seventy
percent of those users were under the age of 18.
In 2000, 18 percent of eighth-graders admitted
to using inhalants at least once in their
lifetime, as reported by the National Household
Survey on Drug Abuse. According to research,
inhalants are the fourth most common
hazardous substances used by children in the
8th to 12th grades. Only alcohol, cigarettes,
and marijuana are more commonly abused.
The Youth Risk Behavioral Survey (1999)
stated that West Virginia high school students
ranked first in the nation for inhalant abuse.
Further, the survey indicated that one in five
West Virginia high school students (20.4%)
had abused inhalants.
It is well known that adults also abuse
inhalants. This is also attributed to the
availability and low cost of the items as well
as to the fact that it is not illegal to buy or
possess these products.
Sudden Sniffing Death
Syndrome
A user can die even the first time that he or
she abuses an inhalant when the heart beats
rapidly and erratically.
A search of “inhalant abuse” or “huffing” on the
Internet reveals heart-wrenching stories told
by parents, peers, school officials, and others
about youths who have become permanently
and seriously impaired or have died as a
result of inhalant abuse.
Signs of Inhalant Abuse:
Slurred speech
Depression
Red or runny nose Muscle weakness
Irritability
Sleep disturbances
Inattentiveness
Hallucinations
Lack of coordination
Chemical odors on the breath
Sores/rash around nose or mouth
Nausea/vomiting/abdominal pain
Some Behavioral Signs:
Impaired judgment
Disorientation
Severe mood swings
Painting fingernails with markers/
correction fluid
Putting a marker or felt-tipped pen
by the nose
Paint stains on fingers, face, or clothing
Constantly smelling sleeves
Hiding rags, clothes, or containers
in closets, under beds, or in the garage
Potential Risks
Asphyxiation
Headaches
Choking
Suffocation
Convulsions
Seizures
Brain damage
Dementia
Hearing loss
Vision problems
Accidents/fatal injuries
Heart, lung, and/or kidney damage or failure
Central nervous system damage
WVU Extension Service Families and Health Programs
Why Inhalants Are Abused
Many young people use inhalants as an easy
substitute for alcohol or other drugs. Inhalant
effects happen quickly and generally last only
minutes, making this type of substance abuse
easier to conceal from parents, school officials,
employers, and others.
How to Help Children
Some ways to help prevent inhalant abuse
(as well as other substance abuse) among
children, teens, and young adults include:
● Praise a child for a job well done.
● Become an active partner in the
youngster’s life.
● Get help for youngsters with emotional
or behavioral problems.
● Build and strengthen relationships.
● Be alert for missing household items.
● Buy non-aerosol products.
● Know the youth’s friends.
● Share family fun time together.
● Listen, listen, listen to the youth.
Activities
Activity 1
Divide into small groups of three or four.
Provide pen and paper. Ask each group to
list common household products that have
the potential to be abused as an inhalant.
Share the lists with the entire group.
Activity 2
Divide into small discussion groups. Present
this hypothetical scenario: “You suspect that
a teenager in your life may be abusing
inhalants.” Discuss:
● What clues made you feel this way?
● What would you do about this situation? Would you talk with the teen or the parent?
● Do you believe that this situation could really happen with a teenager in your life?
Report the discussions to the full group.
References
The National Institute on Drug Abuse
(www.nida.nih.gov/).
National Inhalant Prevention Coalition
(www.inhalants.org/).
The Partnership for a Drug Free America
(www.drugfree.org/).
National Drug Intelligence Center
(www.justice.gov/ndic/).
2010
Programs and activities offered by the West Virginia University Extension Service are available to all persons without regard
to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, political beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, and marital
or family status. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with
the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Director, Cooperative Extension Service, West Virginia University.
FH10-269
WVU Extension Service Families and Health Programs