Due to their availability and low price, inhalants are easy to access and hide. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, huffing paint can be addictive. Specifically, the extreme euphoric rush that occurs when inhaling toluene can become addictive, especially with repeated abuse.
Treatments For Inhalant Abuse
These substances are called inhalants because they are almost always used through inhalation. Getting help for inhalant addiction can be complicated, in part because of the age of the people most likely to have a huffing addiction. Often, huffing is an addiction that needs to be noticed and intervened in by the people around the person using inhalants. There are a lot of possible signs of addiction, including just continuing to huff after learning about all the risks and the kinds of long-term damage that huffing can cause. For instance, both nail polish and paint thinner can be used for huffing, along with many normal cleaning and cooking products that might not seem dangerous at first glance. Some of this might be peer pressure or a knowledge gap that leads teens specially to using certain products.
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If your healthcare provider has prescribed other treatments, like an inhaled corticosteroid such as Advair HFA (fluticasone/salmeterol), take those treatments as prescribed. Tachypnea, or rapid, shallow breathing, is a sign of an impending asthma attack. Asthma may cause additional abnormal breathing patterns, including breathing through an obstructed larynx (voice box), irregular breathing, and upper chest breathing. There is an increasing need for the understanding and recognition of less commonly discussed forms of substance misuse, such as “huffing”. This term, relatively unknown to many, refers to the inhalation of chemical vapours to achieve a euphoric, mind-altering effect. This occurs because inhalants result in anesthesia, or a loss of sensation.
Getting started with addiction treatment may feel intimidating at first. We understand this and are ready to help you on signs of huffing 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.
Talk to your healthcare provider to take the first step toward recovery. Inhalant use disorder (inhalant abuse) is a type of substance use disorder in which people use common household and workplace items to get high. Huffing, bagging or snorting can lead to short-term and long-term effects that can be dangerous. If you think you have a problem with inhalants, speak with your healthcare provider. Commonly abused items include lighter fluid, nail polish removers, hair spray, paint thinner, spray paints, and other chemical products.
Many of these terms are interchangeable, but some refer to specific methods of inhaling or substances being inhaled. Reach out today to plant a seed of sobriety and achieve the drug-free life you deserve. ‘Sniffing’ deaths may also occur when someone is startled while inhaling, leading to them inhaling more than they intended to, or even breathing the liquid form of whatever they’re huffing directly. Side effects are likely to get worse the longer someone uses inhalants, the more they use each time they use, and depending on which inhalants are used.
What are Inhalants?
There are many other signs and symptoms, so, if you’re worried but your loved one’s symptoms don’t exactly match the ones we’ve outlined here, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t dealing with an addiction. Amanda Stevens is a highly respected figure in the field of medicalcontent writing, with a specific focus on eating disorders andaddiction treatment. Amanda earned a Bachelor of Science degreein Social Work from Purdue University, graduating Magna CumLaude, which serves as a strong educational foundation for hercontributions. After graduating high school, he attended college at the University of Coastal Carolina & Salisbury University. In 2015, Corey was given the opportunity to join Amethyst Recovery Center’s Business Development team. In 2018, Corey had the opportunity to partner with Amethyst and USR to open The Freedom Center in his to hometown of Gaithersburg, MD.
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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.
If you or a loved one is struggling with inhalant abuse or addiction, American Addiction Centers (AAC) can help. Our programs offer treatment options ranging from detox to aftercare—and everything in between. Contact our admissions navigators, who are available 24/7 to answer your questions, verify your insurance, and help support you as you take your first steps toward recovery.
They can lead to increased drug use
Don’t panic or get into an argument, and be careful not to inhale any dangerous fumes yourself. It’s likely that inhalant abuse, like abuse of any substance, will interfere with mental well-being. The physical effects compiled with a building addiction can start to take away a person’s control of his or her own emotions. It can result in plenty of frustration, anxiety, depression, loneliness and more. In this article we’ll give you the scoop on inhalants and huffing— what huffing means, the physical signs of huffing and how you can spot inhalant abuse. It’s very normal for a parent to fear that a child will fall into drug use or alcohol addiction.
Huffing Withdrawal Symptoms
Many people with asthma report fatigue, which can affect their quality of life. Breathing difficulties can cause the body to work harder to move oxygenated blood from the lungs to the rest of the body. After a severe asthma attack, you may feel fatigued while the body works to recover.
Dyspnea (shortness of breath), is a feeling that you cannot get enough air. It can cause you to work extra hard to breathe, breathe fast, or have a fast heart rate. Educational initiatives are vital in reducing the prevalence of huffing. Awareness campaigns targeting parents, educators, and young people are necessary to highlight the dangers of this practice and debunk the myth of its harmlessness.
Inhalant Abuse Research and Treatments
He also conducted official financial examinations of various non-profit organizations and for-profit corporations. This experience allowed him to learn the inner workings of almost any aspect of a company. It also taught him the value of building meaningful relationships with clients and having a strong ethical framework. After years of battling alcohol and drug addiction, Shannon found purpose in aiding and assisting the still suffering alcoholic and addict. Shannon decided to switch careers and went back to school to obtain his Addiction Counseling degree and certification in Human Services in 2022 from Anne Arundel Community College.
- Inhalants are present in hundreds of products we may find in our everyday life.
- Getting started with addiction treatment may feel intimidating at first.
- It can be accompanied by labored breathing (an increased effort to breathe), which requires medical attention.
- Inhalants reduce oxygen flow to the brain, inducing lightheaded and briefly ecstatic sensations.
Sometimes referred to as sniffing or inhalant abuse, huffing is popular among teens and young adults looking for an easy, quick high that doesn’t require illegal substances. Sometimes called sniffing or inhalant abuse, intentional exposure to paint, glues, nitrous oxide, and many other chemicals can have dangerous consequences. Huffing refers to breathing in the toxic chemicals and fumes from products to achieve a fast and easy high. Typically users will spray the product into a bag and take deep breaths to force the chemicals into their bloodstreams. However, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes huffing as people who use inhalants through a soaked rag.
Melissa’s personal experiences with addiction and mental health struggles instilled within her a profound passion for supporting others on their recovery journey. Her unwavering commitment to peer support, coupled with her own lived experience, fuels her drive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those facing similar challenges. The legal and seemingly innocent nature of these substances can often mask the harmful potential of huffing.