A recent CNN article focused on another dangerous practice that has become popular among teens. Chroming, also known as huffing or sniffing, is a means of getting high by inhaling chemical substances that are sprayed into the nose or mouth or transferred to a plastic bag or bottle before being inhaled.
According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, inhalant abuse peaked in the 1990s and has been down-trending over the last two decades. However, experimentation rates among teens using inhalants has begun to rise again in recent years related to substance inhaling-related content and challenges among teen featured on social media platforms like TikTok, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The most common substances are household products like glue, aerosol sprays, deodorant, paint, cleaning products, liquid paper, computer duster, gasoline, hairspray - even nail polish.
The goal is to alter the state of mind. These products give the user an immediate rush or high, then slow down the nervous system as they move through the body. This rising trend poses serious health risks including suffocation, loss of consciousness, paralysis of wind passages, damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, and even death.
Awareness is key! Many of these products are commonly found in our homes and cheap to buy in stores. Couple the easy availability with the fact that some teens may think that compared with other drugs huffing or chroming isn’t a big deal and there is a recipe for major health risks.
Symptoms to look for may
include: chemical odor, unexplained mood swings,
dizziness/confusion, chemical burns around mouth/nose, slurred speech, lack of
coordination, headaches, tremors, insomnia, noticing unusual chemical products
in the home.
Let’s keep our kids SAFE by having open conversations about the risks of chroming and encouraging healthy choices. By understanding this issue, parents can better equip their children to make healthy choices and avoid harmful behaviors.
Read about the latest insights to inform and support teens to steer clear of this harmful rising trend
https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/27/health/what-is-chroming-risks-parenting-tips-wellness/index.html
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