"Huffing": Inhalant Abuse

Inhalants are found everywhere – even your home and workplace. Many are comparatively inexpensive next to substances like cocaine and heroin. There are many places to purchase these substances legally. For these reasons, inhalants are popular among young people and individuals in limited financial circumstances. 

What are inhalants?

Retailers classify inhalants into four categories based on intended use: 1) fuels (like gasoline); 2) solvents; 3) thinners; and 4) propellants (like aerosols). These chemicals produce fumes that, like the name suggests, are inhaled by individuals who are abusing the substance in an attempt to get high. Inhalants are found under many names including toluene, methyl butyl ketone, dichloromethane, butane, and others. 

What is “huffing”?

Many drugs are administered by swallowing, chewing, inhaling, or injecting them. “Huffing” is a slang term for a category of administration specifically associated with inhalants. For example, an individual may place an inhalant (like gasoline) in a bag, and then breathe in and out with the bag covering their nose and mouth, increasing their ability to inhale the vapors. 

Who uses inhalants?

Inhalants are often legal, inexpensive, and easily accessible substances, which make them popular among adolescents. Some studies have suggested that males are the primary users of inhalants; other data suggests that inhalants are particularly popular in suburban communities. In 2008, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health released a study of inhalant users ages 12 to 17. The report indicated that among those who had used an inhalant in the past year, over 10% (about 218,000) of them had also experienced a Major Depressive Episode (MDE). Within this group, about 43% began inhalant use after their MDE and 28.5% began using inhalants about the same time they experienced their MDE. The data suggest that depression may put adolescents at risk for experimenting with inhalants. 

How do inhalants affect the user?

From a few seconds to a few hours, inhalants produce a high in the user. Depending on the dose, part of substance is metabolized by the liver. Though the effects of inhalant use are similar to those of central nervous system depressants, the mechanisms behind inhalants are not yet fully understood. 

What are signs of inhalant use?

If you are a parent, you should watch your adolescent for signs of inhalant abuse. Many adolescents have begun using a product called Dust-Off, which is used to remove dust from computer keyboards and other surfaces. The product contains difluoroethane. This is just one of many household products that have the potential to be abused by someone looking for a high. Signs of abuse include:

• Mood changes like depression

• Irritability

• Physical weakness

• Antisocial behavior

• Changes in weight

• Impaired coordination 

What are the dangers of inhalants?

The potential negative side effects are many and serious.

Short- and long-term effects include:

• Death

• Brain and central nervous system damage

• Hearing loss

• Organ damage

• Parkinsonism

• Memory problems

• Nausea and/or vomiting

• Difficulties with linguistic activities 

What should I do if I suspect my teen is abusing inhalants?

Because of the potential for serious side effects including death, you should consult a physician about specific instances of inhalant use, or visit an Emergency Room if your loved one is unresponsive. If inhalant use has become habitual or developed into an addiction, we encourage you to contact the specialists at eDrug Rehab who can help you arrange an intervention. Our caring, knowledgeable staff will discuss the unique needs of your loved one, and will help find a rehab facility that matches their situation. Visit the “contact us” page for more information.