Huffing is something done by many for a cheap thrill. Teenagers inhale chemical vapors from a variety of substances to obtain a euphoric effect. Adults, meanwhile, sniff substances to enhance their sexual experiences. What they don’t realize is that inhalant abuse can lead to severe health problems and even death.
Huffing or inhalant abuse is defined as the purposeful inhalation of chemical vapors from a wide range of substances, including common household products, to achieve an altered mental or physical state, which for most abusers is a euphoric effect. Substances that may be used as inhalants are categorized into volatile solvents (products with volatile solvents include paint thinner, gasoline, correction fluid, felt-tip markers, nail polish and remover, and glue), aerosols ( like spray paint, deodorant and hair care products), gases (nitrous oxide and those found in butane lighters, air conditioning units and propane tanks) and nitrites (a group of chemicals that are used in room deodorizers).
According to the 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, primary inhalant abusers belong to the 12 to 17 age group, followed by those in the 18 to 25 year old population. The survey also revealed that almost 17 million individuals have experimented with inhalants at some point in their lives.