“Huffing”, a term that is used to describe inhaling chemical vapors to get high, is normally associated with teenagers and whipped cream cans, but a new study shows adults are the leading culprits!
Based on data from treatment facilities across the country, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that more than 1 million adults were “huffing” last year!
The study found 54% of all people who sought treatment in 2008 were adults over age 18 and that this type of substance abuse was more prevalent than those who used crack or LSD, Heroin or PCP.
Dr. H. Westley Clark, director of of SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, said:
“Inhalant abuse is an equal opportunity killer that does not discriminate on the basis of age, background or gender. Although we have been understandably focused for many years on the dangers of huffing poses to our kids, these new data highlight the need for everyone to be aware of and effectively address the serious risks it poses to adults and all segments of our society.”
Harvey Weiss, executive director of the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition, said in an alarming statement:
“The frequency of emails and calls on our toll-free hotline from people needing help for spouses, older siblings and friends, parents and even grandparents has led us to understand that people of all ages are at risk and may need help with this problem.├óΓé¼┬¥
Grandparents?!
C’mon, people! This stuff doesn’t only kill brain cells.
Long-term inhaling and sniffing can lead to irreversible damage to the brain, lungs, liver, kidneys and eyes.
We’d like to point out that since this study was compiled with data from treatment facilities, there still may be a large amount of teenagers huffing because most teenagers aren’t smart enough to seek treatment!
Regardless, huffing isn’t cool when your young and it doesn’t get any cooler with age!
If U know someone who is endangering their lives with this silly act, please get them help!
