Inhalant Abuse Becoming More Prevalent Among Children

Inhalant abuse is a silent epidemic on the rise in Texas.

A recent Texas School Survey of Substance Use indicated that about 15 percent of all elementary students in fourth through sixth grades had used inhalants. In addition, over the last three years, inhalants are the only substances that have increased in usage among Texas school-age children.

"Huffing" is a form of inhalant abuse in which vapors or fumes are inhaled through the mouth to obtain a quick high. Also known as "sniffing" or "solvent abuse," this harmful activity can cause short- and long-term health problems, including brain damage.

"Although inhalants rank fourth behind alcohol, marijuana and cigarettes in usage, they are the most dangerous in regard to risk of death in the short term," says Dr. Todd Vedder, inhalant abuse expert at Texas Children's.

A child can die from using inhalants only once. Common household products like spray paint, cooking sprays, air freshener and butane can be sprayed into cans and small plastic bags or onto clothing so the concentrated vapors can be inhaled. Ten to 15 seconds of huffing might produce a high that lasts 10 to 15 minutes.

Texas Children's physicians encourage parents and teachers to look for clues that a child might be huffing or abusing other inhalants. These signs include: Unusual breath odor or clothing that smells like chemicals; slurred or disoriented speech; spots or sores around the mouth; chronic runny nose and red eyes; paint or stains on body or clothing; and drunken, dazed or glassy-eyed look.

- From Texas Children's Hospital

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Courtesy of Texas Medical Center News

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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URL: http://www.tmc.edu/health_briefs/11_01_99-inhalant.html