Despite traditional thinking that adolescents are those most likely to try sniffing vapors or chemicals, a significant number of inhalant abusers are adults, according to a new report.
In March, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released a report that shows that since 2008, 54 percent of treatment admissions for inhalant abuse involved adults ages 18 or older.
About 3,300 people were admitted to facilities for substance abuse treatment specifically for inhalant abuse from 2008–2009, the report found. Of the adults admitted for treatment, 52 percent were between the ages of 18 and 29, while the remaining 48 percent were older than age 30.
The report found similar results when the agency performed its National Survey on Drug Use and Health last year, which estimated that 1.1 million adults older than age 18 had used inhalants. The total surpasses the number of adults who use drugs such as crack, LSD, heroin or PCP.
“Inhalant abuse is an equal opportunity killer that does not discriminate on the basis of age, background or gender,” said H. Westley Clark, MD, JD, MPH, director of SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. “Although we have been understandably focused for many years on the danger 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.”
Inhalant risks deviate from risks from other forms of intoxication, as one session of inhalant use could immediately lead to death, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Other risks include damage to the brain, nervous system, lungs, liver and kidneys.
Adults may also suffer greater medical implications from inhalant abuse, the report found.
“Adults and children may be in the same situation, but there are differences, like the capacity of their lungs to hold more chemicals and gases when comparing a 15-year-old to a 45-year-old.” said Harvey Weiss, executive director of the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition. “The same type of (medical consequences) are different in adults because children’s bodies are still in the developmental stage.”
Inhalant abuse prevention is difficult, Weiss said. Abusers cannot be identified using a reliable list of symptoms, contrary to other types of drug users, he said. Additionally, there are no drug screening tests that monitor for inhalants. The lack of recognition hampers intervention, Weiss said.
”Inhalant abuse is more universal than people suspect it is,” he said. “We have a stronger message to send out now.”
To read the report, “Adults Represent Majority of Inhalant Treatment Admissions,” visit www.samhsa.gov.
- Copyright The Nation’s Health, American Public Health Association