Terms for inhalant abuse of household items include sniffing, snorting, bagging; fumes inhaled from a plastic bag; or huffing; inhalant-soaked rag in the mouth.

22% of inhalant deaths were FIRST TIME USERS

1 in 4 abusers have QUIT or been PERMANENTLY SUSPENDED from school

There are 100 TEEN INHALANT DEATHS per year. This does not include unreported deaths and accidental deaths where inhalant use was a contributing factor.

EFFECTS: Minimal amounts can produce a feeling of light-headedness, dizziness and euphoria within seconds. Signs of acute intoxication may include slurred speech; drunk, dazed or dizzy appearance; drowsiness or unconsciousness; paleness; chemical smell on breath or clothing.

LONG-TERM EFFECTS: Can include short term memory loss, limb spasms, liver and kidney damage, hearing loss and bone marrow damage.

SIGNS OF ABUSE: Temperamental behavior, poor memory, confusion, anxiety, irritability, lack of concentration and mood swings, red or glassy eyes, runny nose, unsteady gait, nausea, frequent headaches.

ASPHYXIA — Solvent gases significantly limit available oxygen in the air, causing breathing to stopSUFFOCATION — Typically seen when people use bags with inhalantsCHOKING — Usually on vomitCARELESS AND DANGEROUS BEHAVIORS — while highSUDDEN SNIFFING DEATH SYNDROME — Usually from cardiac arrest.