Inhalants are common products found right in the home and are among the most popular and deadly substances kids abuse. Inhalant abuse can result in death from the very first use. Teens use inhalants by:
- Bagging, by inhaling a substance inside a paper or plastic bag
- Huffing from an inhalant-soaked rag
- Inhaling from balloons filled with nitrous oxide
- Sniffing or "snorting" fumes from containers
- Spraying aerosols directly into the mouth or nose
Inhalants are breathable chemical vapors that produce psychoactive (mind-altering) effects. Teens are likely to abuse inhalants, in part, because inhalants are readily available and inexpensive. Inhalants are toxic. Chronic exposure can lead to:
- Brain damage or nerve damage similar to multiple sclerosis
- Damage to the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys
- Prolonged abuse can affect thinking, movement, vision, and hearing
Parents should talk to their teens about inhalants and let them know the dangers. Most young users don't realize how dangerous inhalants can be.