Inhalants
Inhalants are drugs that are normally found in a house or business that are breathed in or inhaled in order to take effect. The process of using or abusing an inhalant is called huffing, sniffing or bagging. Inhalant drugs are abused with the purpose of getting “high.” Even though the items that are inhaled are legal substances they are extremely dangerous when not used for there original purpose as is the case with huffing or abusing inhalants.
Inhalant abuse can lead to an addiction and recent studies have shown that children or teenagers who huff will often progress their drug abuse to illegal drugs or alcohol abuse in their future. Huffing is the process of using a rag saturated with a chemical that is placed near the nose or mouth and is then inhaled. Sniffing describes the process where the individual sniffs or inhales the product directly from the container or bag in which it came in. Bagging describes the process where the inhalant is sprayed or placed in a plastic bag and then the vapors from the substance is then inhaled. In some cases individuals who are bagging have been known to place the entire bag over their head which has lead to suffocation and death.
The most dangerous aspect of all inhalant drugs is that they can damage the respiratory system. From the nasal and sinus cavities, to the airway and the lungs. There are thousands of dangerous substances that are abused as inhalant drugs, some of which include air conditioning coolant, nail polish, airplane glue, gasoline, propane, felt tip markers, and paint. All inhalants can be toxic and leave the individual abusing the drug with mental and physical damage including respiratory problems, heart problems, brain nerve damage, and permanent organ damage.
