Below you'll find steps for prevention, tips on monitoring your child, and what to do if you suspect your child may be using inhalants. Most of the steps below provide links to more detailed information.

1.  Learn the facts about the dangerous risks associated with inhalants, and the array of products that can be inhaled.

Critical facts about Inhalants that every parent should know:

• Inhalant use peaks with 8th graders.
• Inhalants are the fifth most-abused substance after alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and prescription drug misuse among high school students.
• Almost as many 8th graders have ever tried inhalants (16 percent) as have tried marijuana/hashish (18 percent), according to Monitoring the Future 2003.
• According to the 2002 Household Survey, 308,000 teens, aged 12-17 used inhalants in the past month.
• Fewer than 1 in 20 parents believe their children may have ever abused inhalants.

More than 1,000 common products are potential inhalants that can kill, including: glues, markers, nail polish remover, freon, paint products, lighter fluid, correction fluid, gases (whippets, butane, propane), hair spray, computer agents, gasoline, cleaning agents, deodorizers, fire extinguishers.

See all the facts on our Fact Sheet.

2.  Look out for the signs that your child may be using inhalants.

The symptoms of inhalant abuse can often go undetected because many of them are associated with the ups and downs of adolescence, or even a common cold — i.e., irritability; weight loss; rings under the eyes; runny nose or sores under the nose; watery eyes; change in friends; struggles with school; etc. It's important for parents not to accuse their kids of using inhalants when all they're doing is struggling through the pre-teen and teen years. However, it's also important for parents not to miss what may be important clues regarding actual inhalant use. Some signs are obvious: spray cans in rooms; the smell of gas on kids' hands; soaked rags found in rooms.

3.  Monitoring your children is a very effective method of prevention.

Be aware of what your children are doing: if they're hanging out with their friends in or around your home, check in on them every so often, whether it is to offer them a snack or just to say hi.

4.  Educate your child about the dangers; however, be careful about educating your child about specific products being used as inhalants.

Don't mention specific substances unless your child brings them up. While many youngsters know kids are sniffing some substances, they may not know the full range of products that can be abused and you don't want to give them suggestions.

5.  Talk to other parents to develop a consistent message about the dangers of inhalant abuse, and spread the word.

Get involved in community awareness activities to fight the problem (see http://www.inhalants.org for more on inhalants prevention at the local level).

6.  If you suspect usage of inhalants, closely monitor your home inventory of products that can be inhaled and look for the warning signs noted in #2 above.

If you have very strong indications that your child is using inhalants, we highly recommend the following course of action:

Immediately talk to your child about it. If warning signs point to a child using inhalants or drugs, it's time to take action. If you deal with possible substance abuse head-on, there's a very good chance your child can be helped. Don't spend time hiding from the problem. Spend your time helping your child. The faster you act, the faster your child can start to become well again.

Sit down with your child for an open discussion about inhalants. Openly voice your suspicions to your child but avoid direct accusations. Do not have this conversation when your child is under the influence, and make sure you sound calm and rational. Ask your child what's been going on in his/her life. Discuss the potentially grave dangers of even one-time inhalant use. Prepare for the conversation by getting another family member, your child's guidance counselor, or physician involved. Ask for your child's commitment to stop, and begin or continue monitoring. With any sign of continued use, seek professional help immediately. 

The Partnership offers a complete guide in our Help for Parents section, or you can download our Parent's Guide.

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