Despite of warnings of the dangers inhalants, two new government reports reveal that it is an increasing problem among young people. The primary abusers of inhalants are adolescents aged 12 to 17 and more girls than boys report huffing, according to the latest surveys and statistics.

Last week, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released two new studies concerning the abuse of inhalants -- substances whose vapors or gas can be sniffed or inhaled to get high -- a practice known as huffing.

More Girls Are Huffing

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) have shown that the primary abusers of inhalants are adolescents aged 12 to 17. Accordiing to a SAMHSA news release, the report also found:

• Adolescents aged 12 to 17 accounted for 8 percent of admissions to substance abuse treatment in 2006; however, they represented 48 percent of all admissions reporting inhalants.

• Females comprised a larger proportion of adolescent admissions reporting inhalants than of adolescent admissions not reporting inhalants (41 vs. 30 percent).

• In 2006, 45 percent of adolescent admissions reporting inhalants had a concurrent psychiatric disorder in contrast to only 29 percent of their counterparts who did not report inhalants.

8th Grade Huffers

The 2006 Monitoring the Future study indicates that more 8th graders have huffed inhalants in their lifetime than any other illicit drug. The report also revealed:

• Inhalants were the most frequently reported class of illicit drugs used in the past year among adolescents aged 12 or 13 (3.4 and 4.8 percent, respectively).

• Combined data for 2002 to 2006 indicated that an annual average of 593,000 adolescents aged 12 to 17 had used inhalants for the first time in the year before their survey interview.

• Among past year inhalant initiates aged 12 to 15, the three most commonly used types of inhalants were glue, shoe polish, or toluene; spray paints; and gasoline or lighter fluid; in comparison, nitrous oxide or whippets were the most common type of inhalant used among past year inhalant initiates aged 16 or 17.

Inhalant abuse can cause damage to the brain, kidneys, and lungs. Chronic use can be highly toxic and even lethal.

More About Inhalants:

• Basic Facts About Inhalants
  
• Frequently Asked Questions
  
• Early Inhalant Use Signals Future Problems

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