What is Teen Huffing?

Is your teenager huffing? Do you know what huffing is? This has become very popular lately and not knowing the signs and facts could cost your teen their life. In Indianapolis a 7^th grader on April 8, 2010 almost died as a result of huffing. He was an athlete, a good student and very social. The boy became addicted to huffing gasoline. His parents noticed that he wasn't spending as much time around his family as usual, he slept a lot more, argued and was very irritated. It all started at a friend's house sniffing a can of duster. The boy admitted that the first time it felt like his head was away from his body and he blacked out. The more he did this the more he liked it and eventually he was fully addicted.

Recent data released in March 2010 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicate that 12 year olds are more likely to use common household items such as computer cleaners, air fresheners, hair spray, glue, shoe polish more than cigarettes or marijuana. The national survey indicates that nearly 22.3 million Americans have used inhalants at least one in their lives. These numbers are quite astounding! According to this information huffing is presently on the rise in this country.

This has become particularly popular because younger teens do not have the resources to get drugs that older teens have. They are curious and all it takes is one friend doing it and suggesting that they try these basically free highs. These teens are also using markers, whip cream cans, butane cooking sprays and there are many other household items. These items keep in mind are also legal!

What they don't know and many parents don't know is there is a syndrome called Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome which can occur on the first time doing this. The inhalant will irritate the heart, speed it up and essentially the heart will stop beating. The membranes and tissues in our teen's noses and throats are more sensitive because they are still growing. Brain and memory are also affected. The sniffing is both physically and psychologically addictive. The boy had a near fatal overdose, which woke him up and forced him to get help. It took months of rehabilitation for this teen. Many teens won't even get to rehabilitation they will just die, according to studies if they inhale every day they won't last a year.

Huffing has been around for years, but lately there is not enough awareness of this very serious drug for our teens. There are so many other dangers that parents forget about these easy to get items right under their noses. Watch for physical evidence empty cans, strange odors or stains on their clothing. Watch them for behavior signs such as slurred speech, glassy eyes, mood changes, or just knowing they are not acting like they usually do. Talk to your teens now about these inhalants they may not know the dangers of using these items even just one time. This is something to be taken very seriously and this needs to be talked about today!

If you suspect your teen had used any of these toxic items please contact the Long Island Regional Poison and Drug Information Center. The website is located at http://www.lirpdic.org/ this is a service with trained professionals on drugs and substances related to poisonings. If you require emergency assistance regarding a poisoning please contact (800) 222-1222 immediately or call 911. Parents please for your teen don't ignore this very important message here please talk to your teen today don't put it off, just keep in mind one time is all it takes to lose a life!

This was originally published on Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/x-33498-Long-Island-Parenting-Teens-Examiner