Hello everyone. (Sorry that this is kinda long ;) I wanted to warn all
of you about the dangers of inhalants -- also known as huffing, sniffing,
bagging, or ballooning. I, unfortunately, know first-hand about the
dangerous, life-ruining effects of inhaling chemicals, as I now have a
traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to inhalants. Those students that
mainly use inhalants tend to be anywhere from grade school to college-age
(and even up to middle-age).

Inhalants refer to any household or industrial product that one inhales
to produce a cheap, quick high. Most think of inhalants as "just"
another drug, however, they are actually very toxic poisons. These
poisons, when inhaled, latch onto the fatty tissues in our organs in the
brain (literally dissolving brain cells), kidneys, and liver, continuing
to do major damage! These poisons, that were not meant to go thru our
systems, can put one at greater risk for developing neurological diseases
such as Alzheimer's and Multiple Sclerosis (MS is when the myelin sheath
that covers and protects the nerve cells wears away).

Nitrous oxide (laughing gas and whipped cream cans also called whippets)
or helium (gas for balloons) may sometimes be present at college parties
to be used as an inhalant(s). The students mistakenly believe that it's
not the harmful poison that it actually is. Unfortunately I'm hearing
that in the 2nd Scooby Doo movie, Scooby huffs from a whipped cream can
also known as whippets. How irresponsible of the movie creaters!

Examples of inhalants: correction fluid (White-out), glues, gasoline,
magic/felt-tip markers, Nitrous oxide, Helium, any aerosol spray-can
(such as Duster/computer cleaner, Scotch Guard, insecticides, hairspray,
deoderant, air fresheners, and butane lighter fluid), whipped cream
cans/whippets, paint/paint thinner, nail polish/remover, shoe polish,
inhaling air (gas) from a balloon to get that high-pitched sound with
one's voice, and even burning incense. The chemicals used for huffing
are also flammable and can be extremely explosive.

Inhaling, huffing, sniffing, any term one uses, is like playing russian
roulette with your brain, heart, liver, kidneys and entire being! You
can die or become permanently disabled the 1st time or 10th time!

Why did I do something so stupid and reckless? I feel that I mainly
huffed to self-medicate. I'd had depression and anxiety most of my life
(and still do), and I was trying to find a way to feel better emotionally
and psychologically. Inhalants can actually be physically and
psychologically addictive.

As a result of my inhalant use/TBI, to this day, I deal with the
long-term, irreversable effects which include: Severe memory loss,
Severe dizziness (feels as bad or worse than the flu), Chronic fatigue,
Nystagmus (involuntary, quick eye movements) indicating Damage to the
Cerebellum in my Brain (cerebellum's responsible for balance and
coordination, which I also have trouble with), and the nystagmus can make
it difficult to read words and focus on objects, Dysarthria (problems
saying words), Word-finding problems (finding the right words when
wanting to speak -- even simple words), Severe reading comprehension
problems, trouble Decoding basic words, Trouble Spelling even basic words
(used to be a great speller), Written and Auditory (hearing) perceptual
problems, Poor attention span and ability to concentrate on various
tasks. I have Severe panic attacks and depression.

I have a lot of Nerve damage to my face, hands, and other areas and have
Trouble Smiling due to the Nerve damage. I also have Severe Grating at
the back of my neck when nodding my head up and down, most likely due to
Damaged Bone Marrow (the fatty tissue that lines the bones). So yeah,
I'm pretty messed-up!!

What kinds of things am I Unable to do now and/or do Not enjoy anymore
because of my inhalant injury/TBI? I am no longer able to enjoy and have
difficulty riding a bicycle, swimming (I was an avid swimmer), going on
amusement rides, swinging on a swing, dancing, exercising, even just
sitting in a chair can be tough because I can actually physically feel
the damage to my brain and bone marrow. Walking can even be difficult
along with the other activities because of the severe dizziness that I
have and poor balance and coordination. So the quality of my life has
obviously gone waaay down due to my wanting to self-medicate by huffing.


Please, if you find yourself even thinking of doing this as a way to
perhaps self-medicate and/or self-destruct (or conform to others), Don't!
Talk to someone that you trust: a teacher, friend, clergy, counselor,
school nurse, parent, or guardian. (Perhaps you can go to a free support
group such as Narcotics Anonymous.) Here's a website if interested in
learning more about the dangers of inhalants: www.inhalants.org

You can find healthier more positive ways to deal with life on a daily
basis. "Take care and be good to everybody including your own!" :-)
Amy


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