The chemicals in glue, paint thinner, and other household chemicals affect the brain and produce the same feelings of being high from taking depressants, sedatives, or alcohol. In addition to glue, some fragrances are used for huffing and can cause the heart to beat faster. In this case, inhalant abuse signs and symptoms would be jitters and jumpiness. Throughout that process, he learned the importance of helping others and living by spiritual principles. Throughout his recovery, James has used his personal story to help make a difference in the lives of others.
Unfortunately, because of the age of the people most likely to huff, and because of the nature of the damage caused by huffing, it can be difficult for people who huff to recognize that they are addicted to huffing. More troubling, the kinds of cognitive impairment that is caused by huffing may also make huffing more likely by reducing inhibitions, creating a craving for inhalants, and reducing cognitive function and decision-making ability. The amount of inhalant being inhaled each inhale can also make a big difference. However, faddish behavior also works on other kinds of inhalants, and not all of them are easy to explain. Mary is an experienced Client Care Manager with 20+ years in customer service. She excels at problem-solving and takes pride in delivering tailored solutions.
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This list of signs and symptoms of huffing is by no means exhaustive. Due to the extensive variety of inhalant chemicals that can be abused means that the effects will vary widely. Most would not typically think of these products as potential drugs since they are not intended for getting high. When an individual utilizes any of these substances or ones similar, it’s called inhalant abuse.
- Huffing is a serious problem, and dangerous, but you don’t need to overcome huffing on your own.
- The rag is then placed over the nose and mouth so the fumes can be inhaled.
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- Over time, people can become dependent on them and develop a potentially deadly addiction.
Erin is grateful to be a part of the dedicated, caring and compassionate Freedom Center Team. Since the inhalant “high” tends to last a few minutes at most, some people may repeatedly huff within short periods, increasing the chances of an overdose. Over time, people can become dependent on them and develop a potentially deadly addiction. Huffing is most often used for paint, which can be sopped into the cloth from the can or sprayed into the rag using spray paint. The rag is then placed over the nose and mouth so the fumes can be inhaled.
How is inhalant use disorder diagnosed?
With over 35 years in experience, she brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to helping people navigate difficult situations. Knowing the signs of huffing, inhalant abuse, and inhalant addiction, is critical in addiction identification and intervention. With inhalants being so readily available in so many normal, household items, being knowledgeable about what to look for is of extreme importance. At Charlotte Detox Center, an affiliate of Carolina Center for Recovery, we aim to provide readers with the most accurate and updated healthcare information possible. Our certified medical reviewers are licensed in the mental health and addiction medicine fields and are dedicated to helping readers and prospective clients make informed decisions about their treatment.
What Are Inhalants?
According to a 2020 survey, 2.4 million people in the U.S. ages 12 and older had used an inhalant in the past year.
How to Spot Signs of Inhalant Abuse
Paint thinner, household cleaners, lighter fluid, glue and other common signs of huffing chemicals can be dangerous to the body and brain. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the term “inhalant” covers a wide variety of substances— literally hundreds of substances could qualify as inhalants. They are found in a multitude of inexpensive, easily available products used for common household and industrial purposes. These include paint thinners and removers, dry-cleaning fluids, degreasers, gasoline, glues, correction fluids, and felt-tip markers. Huffing, bagging, sniffing, and snorting is different methods in which an abuser of inhalants may use the different chemicals. Huffing refers to a rag or cloth soaked in the substance and held over the mouth or nose.
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Signs of inhalant abuse include chemical smells on clothing or breath, slurred speech, loss of appetite, nausea, a drunk or disoriented appearance, pain or stains on skin or clothing, inattentiveness, and lack of coordination. Chemical-soaked rags or empty spray paint or other solvent containers may be found. Inhalants are substances that are easily purchased and are inexpensive, making them attractive to curious teens. Inhalant abuse involves inhaling toxic products through the nose or mouth.
They are technically depressants, which means they lower heart rate and breathing. Even on a first try, using inhalants can cause death (this is known as Sudden Sniffing Death). Inhalant abuse is less common among older demographics (perhaps because chronic users “graduate” to stronger substances), but over 300,000 adults in the United States are addicted to or regularly using one or more inhalants. Signs and symptoms of huffing include short-term reactions like nausea, vomiting, decreased inhibition, lethargy, dizziness, muscle weakness and more. Perhaps inhalant use is so common among younger people because they’re easy to obtain. The majority of these chemicals can also be purchased without restriction and are relatively cheap.
Users breathe in the vapors of the toxic chemicals through their nose or mouth. Because the mind-altering effects of inhalants only last a few minutes, users typically inhale repeatedly, risking “huffing death” or sudden sniffing death syndrome along with addiction. Huffing generally produces a very short-lived high, lasting only minutes at a time in many cases. When possible, people using inhalants may continue huffing for hours on end, huffing again each time the high starts to fade.
Getting started with addiction treatment may feel intimidating at first. We understand this and are ready to help you on your road to recovery. At Charlotte Detox Center in North Carolina, we work with family members, co-workers, and other professionals, as well as directly with the individual in need of support to provide comprehensive care and treatment for addiction. We can offer guidance and insight into the recovery process and will work to provide you with clarity into the steps that lay ahead.
The Dangers and Effects of Huffing
Prolonged huffing in a single session can lead to hypoxia and other serious medical conditions. Certain huffing behaviors, like ‘bagging’, can also increase the risks of huffing. Think, canned whip cream, vegetable oil cooking sprays, computer cleaning can of air, and other products. Vanessa is a Montgomery County native who spends her free time traveling with her daughter and volunteering in the community.
Asthma is a long-term condition that makes breathing difficult due to airway narrowing. Awareness of asthma attack symptoms can help you know when to start appropriate treatment or seek emergency medical care. Huffing, a silent but deadly form of substance abuse, deserves far more attention and discourse than it currently receives. With its serious health risks and rising prevalence, particularly among young people, it is time for a collective effort to demystify, educate, and prevent this dangerous habit.
Inhalant abuse can cause noticeable changes in a person’s physical appearance and behavior. Recognizing the signs of huffing can help you quickly identify a problem and seek treatment. If you or a loved one is struggling with inhalant abuse or multiple addictions, help is available. Huffing has pleasurable effects because it depresses your central nervous system while dilating your blood vessels, but these feelings are short-lived.
