Almost any common household item in the cleanser, glue, chemical remover, and paint category can be used. Experimentation among inhalant abusers is frequent, as there’s always a new item to try for free lying around the house. Parents of teens need to be especially vigilant about signs of inhalant abuse (huffing), since the abused substances are simple household items and not readily identifiable as drugs of abuse.
Signs of inhalant abuse include strange odors, slurred speech, confusion, insensitivity to pain, loss of appetite, and stumbling. They may smell of solvents, and there could be random towels or rags left around smelling like degreaser, gas, or nail polish. If your teen is using inhalants, you will likely see a drop in grades. They may also have some new friends who are also users and act the same way. Inhalant abuse, also known as huffing, is a way for young children and teens to get high at a much lower cost. These may include items as simple as spray paints, markers, and glues.
- It’s likely that inhalant abuse, like abuse of any substance, will interfere with mental well-being.
- In 2015, Corey was given the opportunity to join Amethyst Recovery Center’s Business Development team.
- Detoxification is the first stage of a person’s lifelong recovery journey.
- If your healthcare provider has prescribed other treatments, like an inhaled corticosteroid such as Advair HFA (fluticasone/salmeterol), take those treatments as prescribed.
- Shannon is a certified A.D.T. who has worked in different capacities at several rehabilitation centers in the state of Maryland.
What Is an Inhalant?
Educating young people on the health risks of huffing and inhalant abuse is the best way to stop huffing and reduce the number of adults who will abuse inhalants. Effective and caring substance abuse treatment is available if you are struggling with inhalant addiction and seeking treatment. Cheryl is a Clinical Social Worker licensed by the state of Maryland with over 30 years of experience in the field. She graduated from The University of Maryland with a master’s degree in social work. Her experience in a variety of settings, from leadership in a hospital setting to private practice, affords Cheryl a well-rounded skillset ready to render top-notch care and serve the needs of our diverse community. As a licensed clinician, Cheryl stands ready to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of mental, behavioral, and personality disorders that sometimes present alongside a substance use disorder.
We offer individualized, extended-term treatment in an intimate setting.
Many doctors may not recognize inhalant abuse from physical symptoms alone; if they only suspect drug use in general, and tests for specific substances come back negative, it could delay diagnosis and treatment. If inhalant abuse progresses to the stage of lasting damage, a person may develop chronic breathing difficulties, suffer memory loss, lose muscle control or turn blue from reduction in the blood’s oxygen-carrying abilities. If you or a loved one is struggling with huffing abuse, it’s time to reach out for help.
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Nitrous oxide is the most abused of these gases and can be found in whipped cream dispensers and products that boost octane levels in racing cars. Other households or signs of huffing commercial products containing gases include butane lighters, propane tanks, and refrigerants. In short, although many substances can be inhaled, the term inhalants describes a variety of substances whose main common characteristic is that they are rarely if ever, taken by any other route than inhalation.
Inhalant use disorder treatment methods are similar to those healthcare providers use to treat other addictive behaviors. These treatments include individual therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy), family therapy, activity and engagement programs and aftercare (including support groups). Huffing, also known as solvent abuse, sniffing, dusting, or bagging, involves the intentional inhalation of volatile substances usually found in common household products. These can range from glue, aerosol deodorants, cleaning supplies, gasoline, to nitrous oxide, often known as ‘whippets’. The widespread availability and affordability of these substances make huffing an easy and stealthy route to substance abuse, especially among adolescents.
Can a person overdose on inhalants?
It should not be used in place of the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare providers. Samantha is a compassionate therapist dedicated to helping individuals navigate their mental health challenges and find healing and recovery. Currently pursuing her advanced degree in psychology, Samantha’s personal journey of overcoming addiction fuels her passion for supporting others on their path to wellness.
In addition to the title of Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Kevin is also licensed by the state of Maryland as a Clinical Drug and Alcohol Counselor. He holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling and has over 26 years of experience as a substance use/mental health counselor with the Montgomery County Government. Whether he’s leading groups or providing individual and family therapy, Kevin’s passion for serving those suffering from substance use disorders is always on display. When he’s not busy treating The Freedom Center’s clientele, you might find Kevin engaged in his other passion as an actor/director in the local theater community.
What You Can Do About Inhalants
Get the compassionate care you’ve been looking for with Freedom Detox. A personalized treatment plan and a whole-person approach will be the key to your recovery. With this knowledge in hand, health professionals need to build community connections and play a guiding role in creating a network of community care for inhalant abusers.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania while pursuing his CAC-AD. With strong ties to Victory Christian Church and the 12-step community, Federico shares an amazing personal story of redemption and long-term recovery. With over 32 years in the arena of addiction and sobriety, he uses his vast experience to provide a unique approach to mentorship and guiding our clients toward a supportive lifestyle of recovery. Mr. Douglas’ experience, strength, and hope inspires those in our program, and prepares them for the real-world journey of recovery. With a robust foundation in 12-step philosophy, Federico can not only educate the clients on the model, but also integrate the tried-and-true principles in a more personal, clinical setting.
If your suspicions are confirmed, see an addiction-treatment specialist immediately. Even if your general practitioner is familiar with inhalant abuse, he or she is unlikely to have the expertise to treat it single-handedly. Inhalants reduce oxygen flow to the brain, inducing lightheaded and briefly ecstatic sensations. An article in the journal American Family Physician states that surveys report around 20 percent of children in middle and high school have experimented with huffing. Family therapy, parenting classes, parent support groups, and youth social skills programs reduce the risk of huffing relapse.
Sudden sniffing death syndrome has become a fear among parents of younger children and teens as the reality of this possibility grows. Inhalant abuse is also much more common among children and teens who have been physically or sexually abused, neglected, homeless, or hungry. To understand more easily, in particular for parents, all forms of inhalant abuse will be referred to as huffing from here on. In 2020, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted research about inhalant abuse. Their study showed that adolescents aged 12 to 17 made up the highest proportion of people who abused inhalants in the United States and that about 2.4 million people over the age of 12 had misused inhalants in the previous year. Inhalants are volatile products that produce toxic fumes that can be inhaled for psychoactive and euphoric feelings.
Mary builds strong client relationships, ensuring satisfaction with each interaction. Her attention to detail and communication skills are valuable assets. Mary goes above and beyond to exceed expectations and is dedicated to outstanding service. Lazare Shadzeka is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner via the American Nurses Credentialing Center, with privileges in Maryland and Washington DC. Lazare has accumulated over eight enriching years in the provision of holistic care to a wide variety of clients, with psychiatric conditions. Ultimately, the best treatment is the one that works the best for each individual.
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Huffing is a type of substance abuse that involves inhaling fumes from household substances in order to experience a high. Also known as sniffing or inhalant abuse, this practice is usually undertaken to feel euphoria or experience visions or hallucinations; however, it is an extremely risky form of substance abuse. On the treatment front, it is essential to understand that inhalant abuse is a form of substance use disorder and should be treated as such. Early detection is crucial, and a multidisciplinary approach involving psychological therapy, medical intervention, and family or community support can be effective. Unfortunately, there is still no specific pharmaceutical treatment for inhalant dependence, making prevention and early intervention all the more vital. Huffing is extremely dangerous, and it’s easy for teens to get their hands on the items they need to get high.
Seeking Medical Help
An asthma attack is a sudden worsening of symptoms caused by inflammation and tightening of the muscles of the airways. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and blue lips or fingernails. Triggers for asthma attacks include exercise, allergens, smoke, and weather.
If you are having a severe attack, you may also feel chest tightness. Some people with asthma describe chest tightness as something pressing down or sitting on their chest. It can be accompanied by labored breathing (an increased effort to breathe), which requires medical attention. Chest tightness might mean a severe asthma attack, and additional treatment may be needed to reopen the airways.