Inhalant Abuse

By Veronica Ron, MD

Inhalant abuse is the intentional breathing of gas or vapors with the purpose of getting “high” and is commonly referred to as “huffing” and “sniffing.” The great danger of this form of abuse is that kids do not view it as “drug abuse”; they therefore think the inhalation will not hurt them. The reality is that inhalants can cause serious central nervous system damage and death. The inhalants sensitize the heart to adrenaline; when this hormone is combined with the inhaled agent they can cause cardiac arrest. The phenomenon is known as “Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome” and can occur during the first use or at any time thereafter.

More than 300 inhalant-related deaths have been reported to the national Inhalant Prevention Coalition in the last three years. Deaths were most likely to occur at home, usually in the bedroom. Most victims were alone.

The primary user groups are white teenagers from various socio-economic classes, although most related deaths occurred in teenagers from middle to upper class families. Some of the signs of chronic inhalant abuse include glassy eyes, chemical odor to breath and clothing, memory loss, emotional instability, cognitive impairment, slurred speech and loss of sense of smell.

More than 1,000 products are dangerous when inhaled and many are common household items. Some examples include:

•Aerosols: inhaled asthma medications, deodorants, fresheners, hair sprays, paint sprays

•Cleaning agents: degreasers, spot removers

•Food products: whipped cream

•Solvents: correction fluid, fire extinguishers, lighter fluid,  nail polish removers, paint thinners.

Parents, teachers, health-care providers and the authorities are encouraged to increase their awareness to the problem and recognize this form of abuse and its clinical manifestations. Its high morbidity and mortality should be communicated to our children and discussions should be conducted with them.

For more information contact National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, PO Box 2345, Rockville, MD 20847-2345, phone 800/729-6686; or the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition, 2904 Kerbey Lane, Austin, TX 78703, phone 800/269-4237; Web site: www.inhalants.org, e-mail: nipc@io.com; or the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20892, phone 301/443-1124.

Dr Veronica Ron is associated with the pediatrics department of Danbury Hospital.