How to Tell When a Teen Is Using Inhalants

Inhalants are chemicals found in substances like glue, paint thinner, household cleaning products and aerosol sprays that are sometimes abused by teens for their mind-altering results when sniffed. Using inhalants can cause permanent damage to your child's physical and mental health because of their dangerous effects on the heart and brain, so it is very important to learn how to tell when a teen might be using them.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Know what products your teen might commonly use as inhalants. In addition to cleaning products, be suspicious of your child's sudden interest in or possession of substances like nail polish remover, propane, glue sticks or permanent markers and pens. Inhaling fumes from these products can cause serious health problems or even lead to death, so be on the lookout for them in your child's room or other regularly used living spaces.
2. Observe any changes in your teen's speech patterns as a way to tell if he is using inhalants. Use of inhalants often causes slurred speech, similar to the way one might sound when intoxicated by alcohol. If your child is suddenly having trouble expressing his thoughts or seems to be speaking at a much slower rate of speech than usual, consider the possibility that he may be abusing inhalants.
3. Inspect any unusual smells on your teen's body, clothing or personal possessions. Inhaling these types of fumes may cause your teen to have a strange odor on her breath. Her clothing or belongings may smell like the chemicals she has used as inhalants, so be aware of unusually heavy smells of gasoline, aerosols and other chemicals that are not frequently present in your household.
4. Observe any changes in your child's appearance that may tell of abuse of inhalants. If your teen is abusing inhalants, he is likely to exhibit a dazed or confused demeanor and may appear slightly dizzy. His eyes may appear watery or bloodshot and his nose is likely to be running.
5. Be suspicious of consistent medical ailments such as nosebleeds and nausea that could be signs of more serious organ damage. Though these are common symptoms of many medical conditions, if your teen suddenly begins complaining of these problems on a regular basis, it could be a sign of inhalant abuse. Inhalants may cause serious damage to the lungs, liver and kidneys and may even lead to the loss of smell and hearing.

Tips & Warnings

• Sudden death due to the use of inhalants is fairly common, due to choking, suffocation and heart attacks.