Many parents worry that their adolescent children will try drugs like marijuana or alcohol. Some fear that their teenagers may become addicted to illicit substances such as heroin, cocaine, or many others. So these parents put in a great deal of effort to try to keep their kids away from these kinds of dangers. However, they tend to forget that ordinary household items sitting in the bathroom, kitchen, or garage can also be harmful to kids. These products are called inhalants because kids can inhale the vapors or fumes given off by these chemicals and get high.

What Inhalants can be Abused?

Inhalants include products such as

• Glue

 

• Paint thinner

 

• Oven cleaner

 

• Spray paint

 

• Hairspray

 

• Felt-tip markers

 

• Nail polish

 

• Spray deodorizers

 

• Rubber cement

 

• Butane

 

• Propane

 

• Gasoline

Utilizing these items to get high, which is known as inhalant abuse, is less common than conventional drug abuse but no less dangerous. It is estimated that inhalant abuse continues to increase every year. A report indicates that more than 2.1 million kids in the have experimented with some type of inhalant. Over time, inhalant abuse can result in serious health problems kids and teenagers are usually unaware of.

Methods of Abuse

A person can abuse an inhalant in many ways, each of which has different names. For example, breathing the fumes from inhalants is known as “snorting.” Dipping a rag or cloth into the inhalant and placing the rag over the nose and inhaling is called “huffing.” Pouring the contents of the inhalant into a small bag and then holding the bag against the mouth and nose to inhale the vapors or fumes is known as “bagging.”

Huffing, snorting, or bagging produces a temporary feeling of ecstasy and joy. Many kids opt for inhalants instead of street drugs because these products are legal, inexpensive, and readily available in supermarkets and hardware stores. These inhalants are sometimes transferred to smaller containers so it is easier for kids to conceal them in their pockets or jackets. Inhalant abuse is highly prevalent among youths between 12 and 15 years of age, and often precedes experimentation with other addictive substances like alcohol, illegal drugs, or cigarettes. Many teenagers think that inhalants are harmless because they are not considered to be “drugs.” But kids may not know that the fumes which evaporate from inhalants are poisonous – and are very capable of causing serious health problems or even death in some cases.

Risks

Inhalants contain poisonous substances that block oxygen flow to the brain and other organs of the body. As a result, the inhalant abuser may begin to suffer from headaches, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, or cramps. More serious symptoms like difficulty breathing, wheezing, worsening vision, hallucinations, nosebleeds, or a decline in the ability to smell may also be experienced. The individual may also notice a rapid drop in blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, a loss of coordination, or memory loss.

Continued inhalant abuse may even lead to more serious complications like unconsciousness, seizures, permanent hearing loss, or damage to the brain, kidneys, or liver. Some inhalant abusers begin suffocating or lapse into a comatose state, which could potentially end their life.

But perhaps the scariest aspect of inhalant abuse is what is called sudden sniffing death syndrome. As the name implies, it is possible for a child to die suddenly even after a single episode of bagging, snorting, or huffing. That is because different people have different reactions to the poisons found in inhalants. For some, the acute effects on the heart, brain, and bloodstream from just one instance of inhalant abuse may be enough to overwhelm the body and cause it to shut down.

Identifying an Inhalant Abuse Child

Kids or teenagers who abuse inhalants exhibit many of the following signs and symptoms:

• Sudden loss of interest in friends, family, and other activities

 

• Shunning others or appearing depressed

 

• Anxiety, excitability, or irritability

 

• Chapped lips and face or sores on the mouth

 

• Bloodshot eyes and a runny nose over a long period of time

 

• Peculiar odors on their breath or unusual stains on their fingernails, face, lips, and nose

 

• Headaches, slurred speech, and dizziness

 

• Lack of physical coordination and control or behaving like they are drunk

 

• Trouble with vision, memory, or sleeping

 

• Hallucinations

Parents can also be aware of clues that may indicate inhalant abuse. These include finding hidden empty paint or solvent containers, noticing an abundance of butane lighters and refills, and seeing their kids frequently holding felt-tip markers or glue (especially near their nose).

What to do

If parents catch their kids abusing inhalants, the first thing to do is to remain calm and not panic. They should avoid getting into an argument with their child and take him or her to a well-ventilated room or area. Then the parents must talk with the youth about the harmful effects of inhalant abuse, and offer their support in helping them give up the practice. However, if the child appears to be exhibiting symptoms like dizziness, shortness of breath, or hallucinations, the parents should take him or her to a doctor as soon as possible. If the child is unconscious and is not breathing, then emergency services should be contacted immediately.

If the child is resistant to giving up inhalant abuse (or is trying to quit but finding it difficult to do so), then it may be a good idea to seek the help of a counselor, mental health professional, or even a drug rehabilitation center. Also, those who abuse inhalants for some time may suffer from withdrawal symptoms shortly after they stop. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, and even hallucinations are not uncommon because the body has become physically addicted to the poisons in the inhalants and may have trouble readjusting to a state of normalcy.

Prevention

There are some measures that parents can take to steer their kids away from inhalant abuse. It is important to keep track of who the kid’s friends are, what they like to do for fun, and where their son or daughter spends time after school. Monitoring the child is one way of being sure that he or she is less likely to abuse inhalants or other substances. Also, keeping track of inhalants at home and identifying whether they need to be replaced more quickly than expected can help parents stop inhalant abuse before it starts.

But the best way to prevent inhalant abuse is with education and awareness. Parents should inform their children that inhalants are not a safe way to get high and educate them about the dangers and long-term health problems associated with inhalant abuse. If possible, parents should encourage their children to ask questions about inhalant abuse. Most importantly, the kids must know that they are loved and respected by their parents. Supporting the child in every possible way will help them cultivate healthy habits and avoid the temptations of peer pressure. Creating a healthy parent-child relationship can reduce the chances of a youth turning to inhalants for a quick high.