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Gabriella Gracia
HUS 1406
10-21-2017
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Gabriella Gracia
HUS 1406
Professor Choice
October 21, 2017
Adolescents and Inhalants
Abuse of alcohol and other drugs is not subject to one set population- or sub-population-
of people. From children as young as eight and ten years old, to elders in their 80’s and 90’s,
everyone is potentially at risk for substance abuse of some kind in their life; whether it be due to
struggles that the think to be incapable of handling, or easy access. A population/drug
combination that is not highly mentioned, however, is the potentially deadly mixture of children
and young adults and their use of inhalants.
All about Inhalants
The reason that even the idea of inhalants is horrifying is because they are so easily
obtained and accessible. Most types of these substances are typically found just within the
household; this makes it remarkably easy for anyone- especially children- to gain contact with
them, and unknowingly abuse this classification of drug. Since the chemicals inhaled are usually
found around the house and are not illegal materials, they do not fall into a specific schedule.
Commonly known and used substances in this category are solvents, aerosol sprays, nitrous
oxide, and isobutyl (Fisher & Harrison, 2017). There are many ways to achieve intoxication by
inhalants – well known methods include sniffing/snorting fumes (ex: from a glue bottle),
spraying aerosol sprays into nose/mouth, as well as inhaling from balloons filled with nitrous
oxide (DrugAbuse.gov, 2017); these methods fall under the umbrella term “huffing”. Some signs
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of inhalant abuse are extreme mood swings, hallucinations, rashes and blisters on the face, bad
breath, and extreme nausea/vomiting (KidsHealth.org, 2016).
Statistics
Because of how simple these substances are to get a hold of, inhalants are usually the first
drug that young children get their hands on – the act of huffing can begin at or even below the
age of ten (Consumered.org, n.d.). In 2015 a study found that adolescent females were more
likely to use inhalants in the past year in comparison to adolescent males – specific figures being
3.2 vs. 2.3 percent (SAMHSA.gov, 2017). Gender aside, research has shown that almost 20% of
all 8th graders in the United States have had experienced exposure to inhalants and volatile gases
(ConsumerEd.org, n.d.). Figures are different across the board when it comes to people of
different race/ethnicity as well; the same study, as previously referenced, from 2015 showed that
