Warning: Household Products Used As Inhalants...Causing Addiction & Death In Teenagers

Many parents do not know until it is too late…common household products are being used by teenagers as inhalants to get a short intense euphoric high. These inhalants are as inconspicuous and inexpensive as furniture polish or nail polish remover. Parents rarely question their child if they have markers or a can of Dust-off in their room. Other commonly used inhalants are glue, spray deodorant, spray paint, paint thinner, propane, whipped cream in a can, gas, and aerosol cans.

There are several ways that inhalants are abused. They are…
• Bagging- The substance is contained in a plastic or paper bag where the abuser breathes.
• Huffing- Breathing directly from an aerosol or through a cloth soaked with a chemical.
• Dusting- Inhaling directly from a straw that is attached to a Dust-Off can.

The 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported among youths age 12 to 17, 10.6% were current illicit drug users in 2004, and 1.2%t of those reported current inhalant use. Also, the number of new inhalant users was about 857,000.

There are numerous negative effects that immediately accompany inhalant chemical abuse.
• Feeling light headedn • Slurred speechn • Excessive tirednessn • Dizzyn • Dazedn • Hallucinationsn • Anger

Long-term effects can include the following:
• Severe mood swingsn • Depressionn • Becoming suicidaln • Unable to concentraten • Easily agitatedn • Personality changesn • Memory loss

Of course, brain damage and death are the primary conce
s for inhalant abusers.

A very common inhalant that teenagers find easily and readily available is Dust-off. It is a spray used to clean computers. When this chemical is inhaled (also known as dusting) it gives someone an intense high and causes dizziness for approximately 10 seconds. Many teens believe it is only compressed air and is harmless, but it is much more dangerous. Dust-off contains the chemical difluroethane that is a propellant like R2. It is used as a refrigerant in refrigerators to keep them cold. This chemical is a heavy gas and expands in the lungs when breathed and will not let oxygen enter the lungs. As a result, the gas reduces the oxygen to the heart and the brain and may result in death. A person never knows when “dusting” will kill them…it happens instantly and there is no turning back. It’s the finale to life…death. It happens so quickly abusers have been found with the straw from the Dust-off can in their mouths and eyes still open because they died while inhaling. It’s like they were frozen in place.

Falcon is the manufacturer of Dust-off and has placed a warning label on the cans. It reads “Inhalant abuse is illegal and can cause permanent injury or be fatal. Please use our product responsibly.”

Some stores carrying Dust-off and other inhalants that are abused by teenagers such as spray paint have put age restrictions on purchasing the product. This helps the situation, but products are usually purchased by adults without the slightest consideration their children may be using them to get high. Also, teenagers often get their older friends to buy the inhalants or they will steal the product.

There are numerous ways that sudden death can occur. For example:
• Asphyxiation- Oxygen is displaced in the lungs preventing breathing.
• Suffocation- Inhalants block air from getting to the lungsn • Aspiration- Inhaling fluid or a foreign substance into the lungs, often after vomiting.
• Vomiting- Causing the airway to be blockedn • Chockingn • Seizuresn • Heart Failure

One of the main problems with inhalant abuse is that it is very difficult for parents to become aware of the problem. Parents do not notice anything out of the ordinary because the products are common in the household. Even parents who are very knowledgeable about drugs often overlook the symptoms of inhalant abusers.

Parents already have a tough job ahead of them convincing their children not to give in to peer pressure and experimenting with dangerous drugs. But inhalants are easily accessible, inexpensive, and it is difficult to catch the abuse unless parents see it first hand. However, the following symptoms can help determine if someone is abusing inhalants:
• Odd odors or chemical smellsn • Sores around the mouth or lipsn • Swollen mouth, tongue or lipsn • Excessive coughing, gagging or clearing the throatn • Complaints of mouth or tongue hurting (Dust-off causes frost bite)
• Hidden rags, bags or empty aerosol cansn • Paint on hands or clothesn • Missing common household products

Watching for signs of inhalant abuse may not be enough to stop a teen. It is important for parents to talk about inhalants and other drugs with your children. Start talking about it when they are young so they feel comfortable coming to you with questions. Always leave the lines of communication open so if they have a problem they will come to you. Parents need to set strict rules so children understand that using drugs is not acceptable in their household and there will be severe consequences. It is also necessary to know your teenagers friends and know their whereabouts.

Talk to other parents and watch for signs of inhalant and other drug abuse. Share knowledge and work together to prevent drug abuse and possible death.

The article writer is AJ Crowell, author of the book Loved Back to Life. The book offers suggestions for those with alcohol and/or drug problems, their families, friends and co-workers. n