Slang

Huffing, sniffing

How it works

Signs that someone has been using inhalants:

• odour of the inhaled substance
• non-communicative
• slow, thick, slurred speech
• flushed face, possibly sweating
• lack of muscle control
• confused, disoriented appearance
• possible traces of the substance around the face and nose
• bloodshot, watery eyes

Appearance

Examples of Inhalants:

• hair sprays
• white out
• glue
• lighter fluid
• kerosene and gasoline
• paint thinners
• paints (particularly oil or solvent based)
• dry cleaning fluids
• spray paints
• frying pan lubricants
• ether
• chloroform
• nitrous oxide
• amyl nitrite
• butyl nitrite
• isobutyl nitrite
• fingernail polish remover

Side effects

• feeling “drunk”
• having bizarre thoughts
• dizziness and numbness
• euphoria and grandiosity (feeling on top of the world)
• floating sensations
• distorted perceptions of space and time
• possible hallucinations
• nausea and excessive salivation (spit)
• drowsiness and weakness
• light-headedness
• altered shapes and colours
• antagonistic behaviour
• intense headaches
• Inhaling chemicals can also cause a heart attack and even death

Long term effects

The long term effects of using inhalants can include emotional instability, memory loss, cognitive impairment, slurred and “scanning” speech, staggering or stumbling, tremors, hearing loss, loss of sense of smell and/or changes in the function of the brain.

Facts

• Inhalants are usually experimented with before users try out alcohol or tobacco.
• The strongest effects are found in the brain and if inhalants are used for long enough, they can cause brain damage.
• Depending on the level of dosage, the user can experience slight stimulation, feeling of less inhibition or loss of consciousness.
• The user can also suffer from Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome, a problem that causes the heart to undergo extreme stress resulting in severely irregular heart beats, collapsing and even death.
• Someone who uses inhalants can die the first (or the 5th or the 10th or the 100th) time they huff.
• Other effects include damage to the heart, kidneys, brain, liver, bone marrow and other organs.
• The use of inhalants by Aboriginal youth is becoming an increasing problem.
• Results similar to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome may also occur when inhalants are used during pregnancy. Inhalants are physically and psychologically addictive and users suffer withdrawal symptoms.

Laws

Inhalants are generally not controlled in Canada. Inhalant abuse may be a factor taken into account in dealing with young offenders and children found in need of protection under provincial legislation. In Alberta, inhaling or selling inhalants to inhalers is illegal.

Where to go for help

If someone you know is huffing, the best thing to do is remain calm and seek help. Encourage the person to talk to an adult, doctor or school counsellor. If he or she is currently using and seems to be in crisis, remain calm. Agitation may cause the user to become violent, experience hallucinations or suffer heart dysfunction which can cause Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome. Make sure the room is well ventilated and call 911. If the person is not breathing, administer CPR.

Links

National Inhalant Prevention Coalition
AADAC – Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission
Re-Solv – Solvent and Volatile Substance Abuse Blog