What is Huffing? The Dangers of Inhalant Abuse Charlotte North Carolina Drug & Alcohol Detox Center

Effects are similar to those of alcohol intoxication, including slurred speech and euphoria. Users may feel dizzy and hallucinate, and they may lose consciousness altogether because the body is being deprived of oxygen due to the inhalant substance. There is a wide range of glues, gasses, and aerosols that contain substances that can alter a person’s mood and perception—basically, if one is so inclined, get them high.

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Client wellness, especially when dealing with the delicacy of addictions, remains a priority that drives his full engagement and committed nature. Being a person in long term recovery, Erin wanted to give back and help those struggling with the disease of addiction. Erin decided to switch careers and went back to school to obtain her Addiction Counseling certification.

If someone who uses inhalants shows signs of rapidly decreasing activity or collapses, call for emergency help. It’s important to be knowledgeable and on guard to detect the symptom of inhalant abuse in case it arises within your family or friend group. Also, these environments combined with inhalant abuse show poor school performance, poor self-esteem, increased suicidal thoughts and suicides, mental illnesses, and other SUDs. Bagging is where the substance is sprayed into a plastic bag over the head of the abuser for inhalation. Inhalants are volatile substances that produce chemical vapor which can be inhaled to induce a mind-altering effect.

Most inhalants produce a fast high with similar effects to alcohol intoxication, initial excitement followed by impaired functioning. For instance, nitrates may sometimes cause more severe side effects, including immediately concerning symptoms during use, compared with other inhalants. Inhalant users report symptoms similar to alcohol use, with side effects of huffing including feelings of euphoria, lowered inhibitions, and dizziness. James Scribner holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. His career began working in the accounting industry as a financial auditor. In that role, James audited a national trade association with over 1,300 member companies that sell health insurance coverage to more than 200 million Americans.

Inhalant abuse has become an international problem and is closely linked to detriments to health in many countries. Unlike most other inhalants, which act directly on the central nervous system (CNS), nitrites act primarily to dilate blood vessels and relax the muscles. While other inhalants are used to alter mood, nitrites are used primarily as sexual enhancers. Abusing inhalants affects the entire body because they are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs and distributed to the brain, spinal cord, and other vital organs. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), in 2021, 2.2 million people aged 12 or older reported using inhalants in the past 12 months. However, if you’re looking for help for someone dealing with huffing addiction, talking to your doctor can be a good first step.

What is inhalant use disorder?

The process typically involves inhaling the substance directly from its container, from a bag into which the substance has been emptied, or from a rag soaked in the substance and then held over the mouth or nose. However, the desired mind-altering effect from huffing, described as a high or rush, is short-lived, leading individuals to repeat the process for prolonged periods. Some inhalants enter the fat tissue of the body and cause long-term effects such as damage to nerves and neurons, or brain cells. Once the inhalant substance reaches the lungs, it’s quickly transported to the brain.

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The percentage of these people that specifically huff paint is unknown; however, spray paint is one of the most popular substances to be inhaled. As toluene is the signs of huffing active chemical in paint, it causes an intense euphoric rush, according to Medscape, which accounts for the popularity of paint as an inhalant of abuse. From reports, silver and gold paints contain the highest levels of this chemical. A mild attack may last a few minutes, whereas a severe attack could last hours or days.

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Alexandra oversees all operations with The Freedom Center to ensure clients are given the best chance at success. She works with The Freedom Center team to develop and implement policies, procedures and oversees Intakes and Transportation. Alexandra works with Admissions and Clinical Departments for scheduling client admissions, transfers, discharges and outside appointments while maintaining positive relationships with all clients.

Dusting involves the direct spraying of aerosol cleaners into the mouth or nose. All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional. Huffing is a serious problem, and dangerous, but you don’t need to overcome huffing on your own. Unfortunately, much of the damage done by huffing may be slow healing or permanent. Unfortunately, some of the things you can huff with are probably already available in your home, and you might not think of all of them if you realize that you or a loved one are addicted to huffing.

Her primary focus is to provide all clients with a safe, structured environment while coordinating their care. Alexandra understands addiction from both familial and personal standpoints, as she is active in her own recovery. Through her own hard-won experience and deep desire to help others, Alexandra became a certified Peer Support Recovery Coach, Life Coach and actively practices principals learned through the recovery process in her daily life. Alexandra is a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend and has learned the value of recovery and succeeding in whatever she sets her mind to. Her innovative approach as Director of Operations gives her clients a safe and compassionate place at The Freedom Center to begin their recovery journey. Sydney Tubbs is a driven and compassionate Operations Director at The Freedom Center.

How is inhalant use disorder diagnosed?

• At Charlotte Detox Center, an affiliate of Carolina Center for Recovery, we aim to provide readers with the most accurate and updated healthcare information possible.
• Nitrous oxide is the most abused of these gases and can be found in whipped cream dispensers and products that boost octane levels in racing cars.
• It is an intensive outpatient program, which means that your teen will still live at home while taking part in the high quality, specialized treatment.
• Ease of use can contribute to a product being known for being a possible inhalant, which can make that particular inhalant a drug of choice in an area.
• Get the compassionate care you’ve been looking for with Freedom Detox.
• Children and teenagers ages 12 to 17 are the most common age group that uses inhalants.

Detoxification is the first stage of a person’s lifelong recovery journey. After completing a detox program, people must stay engaged in recovery by participating in comprehensive treatment and finding ongoing support in the community. People going through inhalant withdrawal require the treatment and support of a medical detox program.

Himself, an alumni of The Freedom Center, Michael brings a personal experience of the program to his role. A resident of Gaithersburg, Michael has planted roots and established a network in the local recovery community. Michael’s goal is to connect current client and alumni with resources to strengthen their life in recovery. Inhalant abuse may be harder to detect than other addictions because inhalants act quickly, and the mind-altering effects also disappear relatively fast (in a few minutes).

Although it is not as common as with other commonly abused substances, like opioids or stimulants, chronic inhalant abusers can become addicted as one of the effects of inhalant abuse. I have over four years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges, including mental health issues, addiction, trauma, grief, and other issues individuals may experience. I graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County with my Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and then pursued my Masters in Clinical Social Work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Social Work. I have experience working in psychiatric hospitals, inpatient, outpatient, detox, and partial hospitalization programs providing clinical social work services. My approach to therapy is grounded in compassion, empathy, and a deep understanding of the unique experiences and perspectives of each of my clients .

Samantha’s own journey of recovery serves as a powerful foundation for her therapeutic services. She approaches her work with empathy, understanding, and non-judgment, recognizing that everyone’s path to healing is unique. Shannon is a certified A.D.T. who has worked in different capacities at several rehabilitation centers in the state of Maryland. Shannon has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia in Political Science. Prior to entering the substance abuse and mental health field, Shannon was a Corporate Executive for 18 years.

In addition, to being a certified Addictions Counselor, Erin is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS), and a Registered Peer Supervisor (RPS). By fully engaging in these therapies and treatments, the individual can break the cycle of addiction to inhaling paint and avoid relapse to continued use of this dangerous illicit substance. Injury due to inhalant abuse occurs frequently, resulting in various types of damage to the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and brain; these can result in hearing or vision loss or loss of coordination. People who have a more severe inhalant use disorder may receive the best treatment at a residential treatment program.

Medications for Alcoholism: Supporting Recovery with the Right Treatment

Many people use household chemicals to get high, which is called “huffing.” Some people may mistakenly believe that huffing isn’t dangerous since these everyday products are sold in stores without restrictions. However, many household chemicals you use daily can be dangerous when people misuse them. Silver and gold paints reportedly have the highest toluene content and are the most popular when it comes to huffing paints. The popular media image of common abusers walking around with silver lips and teeth originated from that. The first time many children and teenagers get high, they don’t use illegal drugs or alcohol— they use everyday household items. These are only some of the signs and symptoms of a huffing addiction.