KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS OF CHEMICAL INHALANT ABUSE

Adapted from article in February 2007 issue of Family Circle: A WHIFF OF DANGER by Richard Laliberte

Inhalant abuse is easy to hide, so look out for the following red flags:

• Odd-smelling breath (from huffing through the mouth).
• A dazed look, glassy eyes, slurred speech or clumsiness (signs of recent intoxication).
• Unexplained paint smudges on the face, lips, nose or fingers.
• Products in odd places, such as nail polish remover on your son's room or butane lighters in the house when no one smokes.
• Rags, clothing or empty containers stashed in out-of-the-way places like closets or under the bed.
• Empty product containers that you could have sworn were full that last time you saw them.
• Restlessness, anxiety, flying off the handle at odd times, which could indicate repeated use.

For more information see ADDICTION IN THE NEWS.