PART III TIPS FOR TEENS INHALANTS

THE TRUTH ABOUT INHALANTS

SLANG: GLUEY/HUFF/WHIPPETS/
LAUGHING GAS/SNAPPERS/
POPPERS/RUSH/BOLD6

GET THE FACTS

INHALANTS AFFECT YOUR BRAIN. Inhalants are gases or fumes from everyday products that are inhaled or sniffed to cause an immediate high. Inhalants cut off oxygen to the brain and can damage your ability to think clearly, cause you to become clumsy, and harm your eyesight. Some of this damage can be permanent.

INHALANTS AFFECT YOUR HEART. Inhalants starve the body of oxygen and force the heart to beat rapidly and irregularly. Your heart may even stop pumping blood.

INHALANTS AFFECT OTHER PARTS OF YOUR BODY. People who use inhalants often experience nausea and vomiting. Continued use of inhalants can lead to loss of hearing; damage to the sense of smell; loss of muscle control; and increased risk of cancer, as well as liver, lung, and kidney problems.

INHALANTS CAN CAUSE SUDDEN DEATH. Inhalants can kill you instantly. Immediate heart failure and death, known as “sudden sniffing death,” happens when the heart stops pumping blood. Inhalant users also can die by suffocating, choking on their vomit, or experiencing a seizure.12 Using inhalants from an attached paper or plastic bag or in a closed area greatly increases the chances of suffocation and death.

Q. SINCE INHALANTS ARE FOUND IN HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS, AREN’T THEY SAFE?

A. NO. Even though household products such as spray paint, glue, and gasoline have legal and useful purposes, they are harmful and dangerous when used as inhalants. These products are not intended to be inhaled.

Q. DOESN’T IT TAKE MANY “HUFFS” BEFORE YOU’RE IN DANGER

A. NO. The first “huff” can kill you. 2 Or the 10th. Or the 100th. Every huff can be dangerous. Even if you have tried inhalants before without experiencing a problem, there’s no way of knowing how your body will react the next time0

Q. CAN INHALANTS MAKE ME LOSE CONTROL?

A. YES. Inhalants affect your brain and can cause you to feel less inhibited and less in control. You can become reckless, uncoordinated, and aggressive.

THE BOTTOM LINE:
Inhalants are dangerous and can be deadly. Talk to your
parents, a doctor, a counselor, a teacher, or another
adult you trust if you have questions.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP
SOMEONE WHO IS USING INHALANTS?

BE A FRIEND. SAVE A LIFE.
Encourage your friend to stop using or seek help
from a parent, teacher, or other caring adult.

1–800–662–HELP (1–800–662–4357)
or visit the SAMHSA Behavioral Health
Treatment Services Locator at
findtreatment.samhsa.gov.

“TIPS for TEENS,”
visit store.samhsa.gov or call
1–877–SAMHSA–7 (1–877–726–4727)
(English and Español).

Warmest Regards, Coyalita

Behavioral Health Rehabilitative Specialist & Addiction Counselor

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