Clips From Intervention on Huffing
Huffing, sniffing, dusting, bagging—all of these terms refer to inhalation of dangerous chemical substances. There are over 1,400 common household and commercial products that can be inhaled, many of which can be obtained right at home or at hardware or convenience stores.
How It’s Done
Huffing involves soaking a rag in chemicals and holding it to the face or even stuffing it in the mouth and inhaling. Sniffing is typically done straight from containers such as spray cans as well plastic or paper bags, wherein the vapors are directly inhaled. Bagging is highly dangerous, as it involves spraying a substance into a bag and placing the bag completely over the head—this can cut off a person’s oxygen supply and cause suffocation.
Warning Signs
Inhaling the chemicals from substances like glue, gasoline, air freshener and cooking spray produces a high and can cause dizziness, headaches, lack of coordination, loss of control, abdominal pain, hallucinations and impaired judgment. While different inhalants can produce different effects, the warning signs of inhalant abuse generally include a drunk, dazed or dizzy appearance, slurred speech, lack of coordination, red or runny eyes and nose, unusual breath or chemical odors on clothing, and sores on or around the mouth.
Chronic abusers of inhalants have been known to have hallucinations and can be irritable, excitable, restless or angry. All users, even first-time users, are at risk of Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome, whether from an adverse reaction to or overdose from the chemicals, or of suffocation (especially when using the bagging method).
Consequences
The consequences of inhalant abuse are serious and can include damage to vital organs, hearing loss, liver, kidney and central nervous system (including brain) damage.
If you or a loved one has an inhalant or other substance addiction, help is available. The professional and caring staff at Northbound Treatment Services has developed comprehensive treatment options at the rehab treatment centers. Click here for more information about the services Northbound offers
Author
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Paul Alexander is the CEO, President & Founder of Northbound Treatment Network in Newport Beach, California. He believes wholeheartedly in transformational leadership, organizational health and effective, fully integrated substance use disorder and mental health treatment. With over 27 years of experience in behavioral healthcare, Paul has extensive knowledge of “in vivo” treatment modalities, clinical development, operations, strategy, marketing and financial planning. He has been widely recognized for his development of collegiate-based residential treatment programs for students in recovery and authored a research study at The University of California confirming this modality’s effectiveness.
Paul’s comprehensive professional experience, willingness to innovate, and emphasis on organizational health are vital factors in Northbound’s continued success. Paul received his Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist training at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA, and was awarded Outstanding Alumni Service Award in 2002. Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology, Law and Society, Summa Cum Laude, from University of California, Irvine, and a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles. Paul currently serves on The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) board. In addition, he serves on The Family Recovery Foundation board and The CarePossible board in Orange County; both organizations are committed to raising funds for family recovery and treatment for former military personnel. Paul is in recovery himself and lives in Orange County with his wife Silvana and his two young sons, Noah and Dean.
