Household Items Teens Use to Get High

Common household products, such as glues, computer air duster, whipped cream, nutmeg and cough syrup, can produce a high and have deadly consequences for teens.

Teen drug abusedoesn’t just involve illicit drugs likemarijuana, cocaine and heroin. In fact, youth may usehousehold items that get you highand experience dangerous effects just like they would from commonly abused illegal drugs. Some of the most common household items teens use to get high include whipped cream cans, dusters, glues and adhesives, nutmeg and cough syrup.

Whipped Cream Cans

Awhipped cream highmay seem unusual, but teens can use this product to achieve a buzz. According tonews reports, teens may inhale compressed gas from a canister of whipped cream because the process creates a short-lived high. They may also purchase “Whip-its,” traditionally used to charge whipped cream dispensers, and inhale the nitrous oxide in them to become high. This process can be deadly, as it can block the brain’s oxygen supply and harm the heart. It can also create neurological consequences and result in lasting brain damage.

Dusters

Teens andinhalantsare a cause for concern, with anational surveyshowing that 1.6% of 12th graders, 2.4% of 10th graders, and 4.6% of 8th graders have used inhalants in the past year. In addition, 8.7% of 8th graders, 6.5% of 10th graders and 4.4% of 12th graders have used these drugs during their lives.

Air dusters, typically used to clean computer keyboards, are an example of an inhalant that teens may abuse. Teens may huff these products through their mouths to feel a rush. However,computer dust cleaner highcan create unpleasant side effects, such as violent outbursts, hallucinations, lack of self-control, nausea and even loss of consciousness. Huffing air dusters can also result in death due to suffocation, choking, trauma, oxygen deprivation or irregular heart rate.

Glues and Adhesives

Teenage inhalantsmay also include glues and adhesives that teens sniff to achieve a high.Expertsreport that teens may begin sniffing glue or adhesives and then progress to huffing or bagging to achieve a stronger high. With huffing, teens soak a cloth with glue and hold it over their mouths, and with bagging, they fill a bag with glue and repeatedly breathe in and out of the bag.

A toxic chemical called toluene is responsible for the high associated with sniffing glue. Toluene activates the brain’s dopamine system, which is associated with pleasure and reward. Toluene creates a high similar toalcohol intoxicationand produces effects such as euphoria and excitement, eventually leading to psychological dependence with continued use. Large doses can also cause hallucinations, delusions and a feeling of disorientation. Over time, glue sniffing can damage major organs, such as the heart, brain and kidneys.

Nutmeg

It is also possible for teens to achieve anutmeg highat home. Onecase studyinvolved a 13-year-old girl who put nutmeg inside gelatin capsules and was seen in an emergency room after she exhibited bizarre behavior and experienced hallucinations, nausea, gagging and blurred vision.Expertsreport that these effects associated with nutmeg are likely a result of the body-transforming chemicals in nutmeg into compounds similar to stimulant drugs likeamphetamines.

Cough Syrup

Cough syrup abusecan be a concern among teens. According toStanford Children’s Health, cough syrup often contains a chemical called dextromethorphan (DXM), which can cause hallucinations and altered perceptions in high doses. DXM can make teens feel as if they have left their own bodies and produce dangerous side effects like panic attacks, seizures, paranoia, and elevated blood pressure. Continued abuse of high amounts of DXM cough syrup can result in psychosis.

Teens may also abuse prescription cough medicines that contain codeine and promethazine by mixing them with soda. According toexperts,teens drinking cough syrupin this form may have been inspired by musical artists who have glorified this process.

Teens can become addicted to cough syrups and other household products with continued use. The risks of addiction can be especially strong with items that can be obtained at home since it is soeasy for teens to accessthem.

If your teen is demonstrating signs of teen drug abuse and you suspect he or she is using household items to obtain a high, teen drug rehab may be necessary. Signs such as changes in behavior, poor grades, lack of interest in previous activities, mood swings and withdrawing from friends and family may indicate that your teen is in need of treatment. If treatment is necessary, The Recovery Village has locations around the country to meet your family’s needs.Contact a representativetoday to obtain additional information.