INHALANTS: Drug of Choice by Some Teens

One of the most dangerous substances abused by children and teens may be found in the home.

Published on October 11, 2005 By Sid_Gibson In Parenting

Inhalant abuse is among the most common forms of drug abuse, particularly among pre- and early adolescents, who inhale or "huff" chemical vapors found in many common household products that are not generally thought of as drugs. Seventy-one percent of inhalant users are 12 to 25 year olds, according to the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health performed by the U.S. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration.

NIDA Community Drug Alert Bulletin - Inhalants

One of the most dangerous substances abused by children and teens may be found in the home. These toxic substances are collectively referred to as inhalants - breathable chemical vapors that produce mind-altering effects. A variety of common products contain substances that can be inhaled. Many people do not think that products such as spray paints, nail polish remover, hair spray, glues, and cleaning fluids present any risk of abuse, because their intoxicating effects are so totally unconnected to their intended uses. Yet, young children and adolescents are among those most likely to abuse them, and do seek them out for this purpose. Adults should store household products carefully to prevent accidental inhalation; they should also remain aware of the temptations that these dangerous substances pose to children in their homes.

National surveys, such as the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) and Monitoring the Future (MTF), indicate that inhalant abuse is particularly prevalent among our Nation's young people. Some young people may abuse inhalants as a substitute for alcohol because they can be obtained easily. Data suggest that inhalant abuse reaches its peak at some point during the seventh through ninth grades. According to MTF, eighth-graders regularly report the highest rates of abuse. In fact, MTF data for 2004 showed a significant increase in lifetime inhalant use among eighth-graders.

Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), January 2005, (http://www.nida.nih.gov/InhalantsAlert/index.html)

New Study Shows Hope for Treating Inhalant Abuse
10/1/2004

Press Release
Brookhaven National Lab
P.O. Box 5000Upton, NY 11973
www.bnl.gov

A new study by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory suggests that vigabatrin (a.k.a. gamma vinyl-GABA or GVG) may block the addictive effects of toluene, a substance found in many household products commonly used as inhalants. These results broaden the promise of GVG as a potential treatment for a variety of addictions. The study will be published in the December 1, 2004 issue of Synapse, available online September 30.

Inhalant abuse or "huffing" continues to grow as a serious health problem: According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the number of new inhalant users increased from 627,000 in 1994 to 1.2 million in 2000. The chronic use of inhalants has been associated with heart, liver, kidney, and brain damage -- and can even result in sudden death.

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America
March 17, 2005

In 1995, an alarming one-quarter (23%) of teens had abused inhalants. After substantial progress in reduced teen inhalant abuse, which fell 22 percent between 1995 and 2001, recent data show that a new generation of children is vulnerable.

Youth who are exposed to inhalants as they enter middle school today were too young to have learned the risks of inhalants from campaigns of the 1990s. This group is increasingly less aware of the risks of inhalants and more likely to abuse inhalants than students just a few years ago.

Inhalants are in every home, but not every youth is aware that these products can be used to get high. Therefore, youth targeted anti-inhalant advertising must be careful not to educate kids about the potential behavior and inadvertently increase use.

Educating parents about the risks of inhalant use so that they educate their children is an important step in addressing inhalant abuse. Research from PATS has consistently shown that teens who learn a lot about the risks of drugs from their parents are up to 50 percent less likely to use drugs. Yet too few teens (only about 32 percent) say they learn a lot about the risks from their parents.

While parents are aware of the dangers of inhalant abuse and the availability of these substances, they are still not educating their children about the risks. Their inaction is fueled, in large part, by the mistaken belief that their child knows the risks and is not trying.

Source: Conclusion Section Partnership for a Drug-Free America Special Report
March 17, 2005 (http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/DrugIssue/News/New_Findings_on_Inhalants_Parent_and_Youth#

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