Muse Addiction Treatment Center in Los Angeles Publishes Helpful Resources in Light of National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week

Los Angeles, California -

Los Angeles, CA – Nearly 21.7 million Americans aged 12 and older have used inhalants at least once in their lives, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Some 13.1 percent of 8th-graders have used inhalants, NIDA's Monitoring the Future survey reports.

Parents can help their children avoid becoming one of those statistics, by educating themselves about the dangers of inhalant abuse. To aid in this awareness-building effort, Muse Addiction Treatment Center in Los Angeles, California has published an informative article on their blog.

The article was published to coincide with National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week, March 21-27. The week is held each year during the third week in March to highlight understanding and education around inhalant abuse prevention and poison prevention. It was developed in 1992 by the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition.

Inhalants are chemicals that are inhaled through common household products like paint thinner, glue, and cleaners. They produce a fast, powerful rush of euphoria that comes and goes quickly, requiring repeated use to sustain the high. Inhalant abuse involves four kinds of products. Household solvents such as Paint thinners, gasoline, lighter fluid, glue, nail polish, and nail polish remover. Aerosols including spray paint, hair spray, deodorant spray, and vegetable oil spray. Gases such as butane lighters, propane tanks, and whipped cream dispensers. Nitrites including room fragrance, video head cleaner, and leather cleaner.

Using inhalants can cause great damage even with just occasional use, including suffocation and cardiac arrest. Short-term effects are similar to those caused by drinking alcohol to excess. They may include slurred speech, clumsiness, and light-headedness. Some users may even experience hallucinations.

The long-term effects can be profound. They may include liver and kidney damage, hearing loss, and bone marrow damage. Inhalants cut off oxygen flow to the brain, which can lead to brain damage. This is especially tragic in younger users since their brains are still developing.

Addiction experts advise parents to take steps to keep their children safe from inhalant abuse. Make sure they are aware of the dangers of abusing these products. Talk to them about how easy it is to develop a dependence on these substances. Watch any teen for physical signs of inhalant abuse. If one does suspect abuse, monitor the quantities of any household products. If one starts running out of them faster than usual, there may be a problem. Don’t add to the temptation. Dispose of used paint cans and other Inhalant containers as soon as one is finished with them. Addiction is a serious problem that requires professional help.

For those who an inhalant abuse problem, or may know someone who does, contact Muse Treatment at 800-426-1818.