"Understanding Adolescent Inhalant Use" A Key Takeaways

A new SAMHSA study “Understanding Adolescent Inhalant Use” by Rachel N. Lipari, Ph.D. discusses current trends in inhalant abuse. This report explores inhalant abuse trends among adolescents between the ages of 12-17 collected from The National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Of the 1.8 million people who reported abusing inhalants in the past year to get high, 684,000 were adolescents between the ages of 12-17 with use decreasing in age. The entire report can be found here. Key findings include:

·       Felt-tip pens/markers or magic markers were the top reported type of inhalant used to get high 6.7% with glue, shoe polish, or toluene coming in second and spray paints in third.

·       Female adolescents reported higher usage of inhalants compared to male adolescents (3.2% vs. 2.3%)

·       Adolescents of all races/ethnicities, across the United States are vulnerable to inhalant abuse

·       There were no statistically significant differences in the percentage of inhalant abuse depending on geographical location

Although only 684,000 adolescents reported using inhalants to get high, this report highlights the continued need to educate parents, teachers, and teens about the risks of inhalant abuse. To learn more visit: www.inhalant.org

Frightening New Inhalant Data from SAMHSA: 17,868 Young Adults Use Inhalants Each Day

Starting new inhalant data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that on an average day 17,868 young adults use an inhalant.  The report also reveals that each day 566 young adults use inhalants for the very first time.

Via SAMHSA administrator Pamela S. Hyde:"This data shows how prevalent substance abuse is in the lives of many young adults. Far too many young adults allow substance abuse to jeopardize their health, well-being and futures.  We must all do more to ensure that effective prevention and treatment programs are available to help young adults make the right choices.

The full SAMHSA Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ) report can be accessed here.

New National Inhalant Data: Inhalant Use on the Decline

 Via United Press International:

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently released its “Recent Declines in Adolescent Inhalant Use” which was based on their 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. 

 
The report revealed that US teens ages 12 to 17 using inhalants decreased from 820,000 in 2011 to about 650,000 in 2012.  Additionally, rates decreased from 4.4 percent in 2006 to 2.6 percent in 2012. 

In December last year, Monitoring the Future also showed a decline in inhalant use. For further info on that study, click here.

National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week

March 18-24^th, 2012, is National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week (NIPAW). Every year, this week represents an opportunity to educate people about the dangers of inhalant abuse while supporting those who have been affected by inhalant abuse. Countless people are unaware of the dangers and fatalities associated with abusing household items for the purposes of “getting high.”

Fast Facts about Inhalant Abuse*

• The average age of first time users was 16.3 years


• 68.4 percent of first time users were under age 18


• 793,000 people aged 12+ used inhalants for the first time in 2010.

What can you do?

During NIPAW, start a conversation at work or talk to a friend about inhalant abuse. Many communities around the nation hold special programs or write articles to raise awareness about inhalant abuse prevention. If you are planning an event, please contact me so we can add it to this blog and/or our community message board.

You can make a difference in your community and potentially save a life by educating yourself about this pressing issue! Please visit http://www.inhalant.org/ to check out our electronic Inhalant Abuse Prevention Kit and for more information.

*All statistics from 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: http://www.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH/2k10NSDUH/2k10Results.pdf

New National Inhalant Data: 68.4% are under 18 for first use

Yesterday, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released the results from the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The full findings can be accessed here.

Interesting new stat about inhalant abuse:

• In 2010, there were 793,000 persons aged 12 or older who had used inhalants for the first time within the past 12 months, which was similar to the numbers in prior years since 2002;
  


• 68.4 percent were under age 18 when they first used.
  


• The average age at first use among recent initiates aged 12 to 49 was also similar in 2009 and 2010 (16.9 and 16.3 years, respectively).

The Latest National Survey Reveals Inhalant Abuse Statistics

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAHMSA) recently released a national survey on substance abuse from 2008 to 2009. The survey revealed that substance abuse has generally increased, and inhalants were particularly popular for first-time substance abusers.

Youth Statistics

- Inhalant abuse rate has not decreased among youths since 2002.

- Inhalants are popular first-time drugs. About 3.1 million people aged over 12 used an illicit drug for the first time in 2009. Among them, a startling 9.8 percent chose inhalants as their first illicit drug.

- Youths also make up the majority of inhalant abusers. In 2009, 0.8 million people aged 12 or older used inhalants, and 67.9 percent of them were under age 18 when they first used inhalants.

- 10.0 percent of all youths aged 12 to 17 were illicit drug users in 2009, and 1.0 percent of them used inhalants.

- Among 12 or 13 year olds, 1.4 percent used inhalants, and 0.8 percent of 14, 15, 16, or 17 year olds used inhalants.

- The average age of first-time inhalant abuser remains under the age of 17 since 2008. In 2008, the average age was 15.9, and in 2009, it was 16.9 years.

Adult Statistics

- Among adults aged 26 or older, 6.3% percent were current illicit drug users in 2009, and inhalants were used by 0.1 percent of them.

Overall Dependency

- About 164,000 people aged 12 or older developed dependence on inhalants in 2009.

Statistical information as well as graphical representation for this report are accredited to SAMHSA's full report, which is available here. Please feel free to check it out for more detailed information on inhalant abuse.

Inhalant Abuse & Respiratory Illness

From Health Canal:

A recently released study reveals new dimensions and bucks old assumptions about inhalant use. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) study surveyed a sample group, ages 12 to 17, from 2006-2008. As the new data shows, youth suffering from respiratory ailments were not less likely than their healthy counterparts to abuse inhalants. With nearly one in tens diagnosed as asthmatic, this finding is particularly troubling. Overall, approximately 143,000 minors suffering from asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, or sinusitis used inhalants last year.

The study also found:

• An unsettling 44,000 adolescents use inhalants on any given day.
• An estimated 1 million adolescents abuse inhalants every year.
• 4.4% of adolescents with respiratory problems versus 4.1% without use inhalants.
• Glue, gasoline, toluene(found in paint thinner), lighter fluid spray paints and shoe polish were among the top inhaled substances.

Past Year Inhalant Use among Adolescents:

• Aged 12 or 13: 4.1%
• Aged 14 or 15: 4.7%
• Aged 16 or 17: 3.5%

To view the findings or download the study, visit the SAMHSA website

National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week: Dr. Jennifer Caudle

Dr. Jennifer Caudle is an osteopathic family physician and director of the family medicine section of the Department of Internal Medicine at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. She has appeared on ABC News, written healthy advice articles and led workshops nationally. Her message of wellness has reached over 50,000 people and she can be found at http://www.jennifercaudle.com/.

ACE: Why is National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week important?

Dr. Caudle: This week is so important to recognize because we are learning just how common inhalant abuse is among young people. According to data from the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs), 6.9% of 12 year olds have used an inhalant to get high. Interestingly, this makes inhalant abuse more common than the use of cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine and other drugs. This truly is a problem that needs to be addressed.

ACE: What role does the medical community have in increasing awareness about inhalants?

Dr. Caudle: It is important for the medical community to understand how common this problem is. Becoming educated is only part of the answer however, as we must also get involved in educating patients and parents about this problem. It is important to ask our patients about inhalant abuse just as we ask about other illicit drugs, alcohol and tobacco, and we need to become aware of the signs and symptoms of inhalant abuse.

ACE: What advice would you give to parents about protecting children from misusing household products?

Dr. Caudle: One of the most important things a parent can do is to talk with their children about their behavior and listen; an open dialogue is extremely important. It is also important to keep in mind that inhalants are often commonly found items found in the home; from hairspray to computer cleaners and paint thinners, inhalants are often easily obtained and inexpensive as well.

ACE: How can parents identify inhalant abuse?

Dr. Caudle: There are a wide range of symptoms that can appear with inhalant abuse. Some people will exhibit a change in mood, personality or behavior. Others may have changes in speech or movement. It is important to be aware of any unusual chemical smells on clothing which could signal chemical use. In addition, the effects of inhalant abuse can range from eye and nose irritation, nosebleeds and watery eyes, to heart, liver and kidney damage.

ACE: Where can someone find medical resources for treatment?

Dr. Caudle: I would start with the NIPC- National Inhalant Prevention Coalition at http://www.inhalants.org/ and SAMHSA- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services at http://oas.samhsa.gov/.

In addition to the resources listed above, you can find more information about inhalant abuse at http://www.inhalant.org/. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week

Today, marks the second day of National Inhalants and Prevention Awareness Week! This annual event presents organizations, school administrators and parents with a unique opportunity to educate communities about inhalants. Throughout the week, we will feature insight from a panel of experts who are increasing awareness around this silent habit. This year is particularly noteworthy as recent studies suggest a reversal in previously declining drug trends.

According a study conducted by the Partnership for a Drug Free America:

· One in ten teens surveyed had misused inhalants within the past year.

· Teen attitudes about inhalant use have also changed. 66 percent of students, compared to 70 percent last year, believe inhalant use can result in death.


According the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, 12-year olds are more likely to use inhalants than any other drugs except alcohol. Currently, more 12-year olds use inhalants than marijuana, cocaine, and hallucinogens (i.e. ecstasy) combined.

If you believe your child or loved one is misusing inhalants, use the SAMHSA service provider locator to find help in your area. Also visit http://www.inhalant.org/ to find more resources about inhalant abuse, detection, and effects.

Teens Seek High, End Up With Loathsome Effects

From the New York Daily News (March 11):

Data released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, indicates teenage inhalant use is on the rise- again. Following a earlier study circulated by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America showing a reversal in a downward 10 year trend in drug use, there are a clear indicators that teenage drug use will spike in coming years. Researchers point to decreased inhibitions about drug use as the primary cause.

Surprisingly, teens are moving away from traditional illicit drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine. Instead, they are developing a proclivity for inhalants which provide a cheap high- and are accessible underneath a kitchen sink. The strongest evidence shows this trend indicates more 12-year olds are using inhalants than cocaine, marijuana, and hallucinogens combined.

While the high is cheap it does not come without a price. “You have young people developing dementia, having hallucinations, walking into things,” a health and wellness university professor says, “not to mention feelings of agitation and anxiety and poor judgment."

National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week Press Conference

To launch National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week, the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition, with support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), held a press conference to focus on inhalant use and efforts by the medical profession to educate physicians. The widely-attended event brought together media, federal agencies, and those personally affected to bring attention this important issue.

Pamela Hyde, SAMHSA Administrator, spoke poignantly about the recent upticks in drug use as a recent study showed a regression in adolescent attitudes about drug use. This trend, which is a harbinger of future drug use, is magnified when discussing inhalant abuse because many teens don’t think it is a ‘real’ drug. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, attitudes about drug abuse were have tumbled to 58% from 75% in earlier surveys.

Ms. Hyde noted that inhalant accessibility and ignorance about side effects contribute to the problem. Among 12-year olds nationwide inhalants are the drug of choice. Currently, alcohol is the only substance with higher user rates than inhalants.

Dr. Jennifer Caudle, of the American Osteopathic Association, intimated inhalant abuse is affecting the medical community as medical professionals have access to commonly abused gases, such as nitrous oxide. Additionally, there is little formal training about recognizing inhalant abuse allowing cases to go undiagnosed. In response, Dr. Caudle and the AOA are helping to create a support system and dialogue among medical practitioners to illuminate that areas need improvement.

The last two speakers shared personal accounts of how inhalant abuse affected their lives. Ashley, 17, and Kevin, a parent who lost his daughter to inhalants, offered poignant and intertwined reflections. The two are now learning how to live new lives of recovery and loss respectively.

We would especially like to thank Harvey Weiss, Executive Director of NIPC for organizing this annual event as it is emblematic of his steadfast efforts to combat inhalant abuse.

New Federal Inhalant Data: SAMHSA & DAWN

SAMHSA’s Office of Applied Studies just announced the release of the 2008 National Estimates of Drug-related Emergency Department Visits from the Drug Abuse Warning Network.

We went through all the tabs to pull out any relevant inhalant information. Our findings follow below:

Drug Abuse Warning Network: Inhalant Data

The Office of Applied Studies at SAMHSA has just released Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2007: Area Profiles of Drug-Related Mortality.

This publication includes data on deaths related to drug misuse and drug-related suicide that were submitted by participating medical examiners/coroners in 63 metropolitan areas and 10 States.

We just went through the study and pulled out all the inhalant data contained within. A short summary of findings follows below:

Drug Related deaths by drug category, 2006-2007

Massachusetts:
Drug Related Deaths to Inhalants in 2006: 9
Drug Related Suicide: Deaths 2006 (Inhalants): 7
Drug Related Suicide: Deaths 2007 (Inhalants): 8
Drug Related Suicide: Single-drug deaths 2007: (inhalants): 4

Oklahoma:
Drug Related Deaths to Inhalants in 2007: 7
Drug Related Single-drug deaths 2007: (inhalants): 6

Oregon:
Drug Related Deaths to Inhalants in 2007: 4
Drug Related Suicide: Deaths 2007 (Inhalants): 4

Virginia:
Drug Related Deaths to Inhalants in 2007: 4

Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH
Drug Related: Deaths to Inhalants in 2006: 4
Drug Related Suicide: Deaths 2006 (Inhalants): 5
Drug Related Suicide: Deaths 2007 (Inhalants): 6
Drug Related Suicide: Single-drug deaths 2007: (inhalants): 4

Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI:
Drug Related: Deaths to Inhalants in 2006: 9
Drug Related: Deaths to Inhalants in 2007: 8

New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA:
Drug Related Deaths to Inhalants in 2007: 4
Drug Related Single-drug deaths 2007: (inhalants): 4
Drug Related Suicide: Deaths 2007 (Inhalants): 5

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ:
Drug Related Deaths to Inhalants in 2007: 6
Drug Related Suicide: Deaths 2007 (Inhalants): 7
Drug Related Suicide: Single-drug deaths 2007: (inhalants): 5

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA:
Drug Related Deaths to Inhalants in 2006:4
Drug Related Deaths to Inhalants in 2007:6
Drug Related Suicide: Deaths 2007 (Inhalants):8

San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA
Drug Related Suicide: Deaths 2007 (Inhalants): 5
Drug Related Suicide: Single-drug deaths 2007: (inhalants): 5

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Drug Related Suicide: Deaths 2006 (Inhalants): 7

Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH (Middlesex County, MA)
Drug Related Suicide: Deaths 2006 (Inhalants): 4

Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI (Macomb County, MI)
Drug Related: Deaths to Inhalants in 2006: 7
Drug Related: Deaths to Inhalants in 2007: 7

New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA (New York County)
Drug Related Suicide: Deaths 2007 (Inhalants): 4

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA (Pierce County)
Drug Related: Deaths to Inhalants in 2006: 5

Average Age for Inhalant Abuse

Interesting stat from TransWorldNews in Georgia:

"Statistics reported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that the average age for first use of seven dangerous drugs or illicit substances is under 21 years.

Average age of first use of inhalants such as spray paint and products for cleaning computers is 15.7 years, followed by the hallucinogen PCP at 16.3 years and marijuana at 17.4 years. Average ages for first use of LSD, cocaine, Ecstasy and heroin all fell between 19.4 years and 20.7 years."

New National Inhalant Data

The results of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health’s “Trends in Adolescent Inhalant Use: 2002 to 2007” were released today at a press conference in Washington, DC.

The report noted:

• In 2007, almost 1.0 million adolescents used inhalants in the past year.
  
• The percentage of adolescents (youths aged 12 to 17) who used inhalants in the past year was lower in 2007 (3.9%) than in 2003 (4.5%), 2004 (4.6%), and 2005 (4.5%).
  
• Among first time users in the past year, the rate of use of nitrous oxide or “whippits” declined between 2002 and 2007 for both male and females. (males 40.2% to 20.2%)(females (22.3 to 12.2%)


• Use of aerosol spray other than spray paint was higher in 2007 than 2002 (25% versus 12.6%)


• In 2007, 17.2% of adolescents who initiated illicit drug use during the past year indicated that inhalants were the first drug they used. This rate remained relatively stable between 2002 and 2007.


• In 2007, 2.1% of adolescents who had not previously used inhalants began using them during the 12 months prior to the survey.

NIPAW Inhalant Resources from SAMHSA

National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week (NIPAW) is March 15-21, 2009.

Please click on the following image to reach SAMSHA Health Information Network's NIPAW website. On the site, you'll find information for both parents and teens.

Also let us know what your community is doing in honor of NIPAW this year!

New Inhalant Abuse Report from SAMHSA

The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) just released a new National Survey on Drug Use & Health (NSDUH) Report.

The report is entitled," Inhalant Abuse and Major Depressive Episode Among Youth Aged 12 to 17: 2004-2006. "The 2006 NSDUH Report surveys youth 12-17 years old to assess “co-occurrence of inhalant use and Major Depressive Episode (MDE) in the past year.”

Some of the findings include:

Inhalant Use:

• Past year inhalant use was almost 4 times higher among persons aged 12 to 17 than among young adults aged 18 to 25 (1.3 vs. 0.4 percent).
  
• In 2004 to 2006, 1.1 million youths aged 12 to 17 (4.5 percent) used inhalants in the past year
  
• Females in this age range were more likely than males to use inhalants in the past year (4.8 vs. 4.2 percent)
  
• Youth aged 14 or 15 (5.3 percent) were more likely than youths aged 12 or 13 (4.3 percent) & those aged 16 or 17 (3.9 percent) to have used inhalants in the past year.

Inhalant Abuse & Major Depressive Episode (MDE)

• The rate of past year inhalant use was higher among youths aged 12 to 17 who had MDE in the past year than among those who did not (10.2 vs. 4.0 percent)
  
• Males with past year MDE were about twice as likely as those without past year MDE to have used inhalants (9.6 vs. 4.0 percent)
  
• Females with past year MDE were about 3 times as likely as those without past year MDE to have used inhalants (10.5 vs. 3.9 percent)
  
• In each age group, youths with past year MDE were more likely than youths without past year MDE to have used an inhalant in the past year.

Which comes first: MDE or Inhalant Abuse:

• An estimated 218,000 (.9 percent) youths aged 12 to 17 used inhalants and experienced MDE in the past year.
  
• 43.1 percent experienced their first episode of MDE before initiating inhalant use.
  
• 28.3 percent used inhalants before they experienced their first episode of MDE
  
• 28.5 percent started using inhalants and experienced their first episode of MDE at about the same time.