What Is Paint Huffing? Signs, Symptoms, & What to Know

What is Paint Huffing?

Paint huffing is a commonly used method of obtaining some form of euphoric high. Typically, huffing is done by placing the substance in a tight space and inhaling the fumes quickly. The individual huffing achieves a high; however, it does not last long. This leads the individual to use the substance again to return to the euphoric state they were in previously.¹

What many fail to realize is that inhalant abuse is a diagnosable substance use disorder in the DSM-5 and is incredibly serious. As with the consumption of any other substance, there is a significant risk of the individual developing a life-altering addiction.

Common ways that people huff paint include:

• Sniffing from the container: This method is known as “huffing” or “bagging.”
• Sniffing or snorting: Inhaling chemicals by sniffing or snorting the substance directly into the nasal cavity.
• Spraying: This involves directly spraying the substance into either the nose or mouth.

Who is at Risk for Huffing Paint?

Paint huffing is typically used by teens and young adults due to multiple factors. These factors include easy access to commonly used items (markers, felt tip pens, highlighters, etc.) and the low costs associated with these items. Commonly huffed items can be found easily in schools as well as homes, making it easy to get high.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in a survey completed in 2015, there were 1.8 million people using inhalants ages 12 and older. Of those 1.8 million people, around 684,000 were adolescents ages 12-17. When looking across the age groups, it is clear that adolescents are the age group using inhalants the most.²

Why do People Huff?

Individuals may choose to huff substances due to the euphoric feelings that come along with inhalant intoxication. Huffing concentrated substances containing toxic chemicals can provide a short-lived high. Adolescents and young adults may huff paint in order to cope with stressors such as relationship conflict, academic pressure, recent/major life transitions, or mental health symptoms they are experiencing.

Why is Huffing Paint Popular?

Other factors that influence inhalant use include availability, affordability, and the fact that these substances are not illegal. Additionally, peer pressure and the normalization of inhalant abuse among social groups can be contributing factors to popularity.

Signs & Symptoms of Paint Huffing

Signs to be on the lookout for may include smelling chemicals or fumes on the individual, random substances on articles of clothing, or paint on the hands or face. Another major sign that someone is huffing paint includes intoxication, similar to alcohol intoxication.

Common symptoms of huffing paint include:

• Slurred speech
• Inability to walk
• Noticeable difference in pupils
• Emotion dysregulation
• Inappropriate social interactions

Dangers & Side Effects of Huffing

Inhalant abuse, including paint huffing, can lead to both short and long-term side effects that are unknown to the individual. Although the side effects vary in severity, each should be treated as concerning due to their potential to cause serious medical complications.

Common short-term side effects of paint huffing include:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Inability to control inappropriate behavior
• Loss of coordination
• Loss of sensation
• Agitation
• Belligerence
• Apathy
• Impaired judgment
• Confusion
• Delirium³

Common long-term effects of paint huffing include:

• Brain damage
• Liver damage
• Kidney damage
• Hearing loss
• Bone marrow damage
• Loss of coordination or limb spasms from nerve damage
• Delay in behavioral development⁴

Can You Overdose While Huffing Paint?

Overdosing can absolutely occur from huffing paint or from inhaling any other substance that contains toxic chemicals. Substances that are huffed contain harmful and sometimes lethal chemicals that pose a significant threat to well-being and can lead to overdose. Often, the substance is highly concentrated, which the individual is unaware of. The symptoms that come from huffing toxic substances can cause seizures and coma. There is a risk of the heart-stopping within minutes after huffing substances.⁴

Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome

Huffing substances with toxic fumes can, in some cases, make the heart stop within a few minutes. This consequence is known as sudden sniffing death syndrome, which can occur rapidly and is not well-known.⁵

Common causes of sudden sniffing death syndrome include:

• Hypoventilation: Huffing disrupts regular breathing patterns and can lead to a lack of proper oxygen that the body needs in order to function.
• Suffocation: This is more common with those who huff through a bag, leading to suffocation by restricting airflow.
• Seizures: Damage to the brain may occur and lead to involuntary convulsions.
• Coma: This will occur from the brain shutting down vital organs.
• Choking: Inhaling substances can cause the body to begin vomiting. There is a significant risk of choking when this occurs.

Treatment & Recovery from Paint Huffing

Early intervention is crucial and has shown to be more effective when it comes to recovering from any addiction or substance misuse.

Overcoming paint huffing usually involves:

• Detoxification: When your body has become accustomed to receiving a particular substance, it expects to continue receiving it. The body can go into shock and/or withdrawal, making it physically uncomfortable to quit paint huffing. Detox can last anywhere from 2-7 days, depending on the severity of your symptoms. This process is always monitored by a medical professional who has the ability to alleviate some of your withdrawal symptoms and who can detox you safely.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy: A frequently used modality in treating inhalant abuse. CBT for addiction recovery is where a licensed mental health professional can focus on negative, automatic thoughts and identify unhelpful thinking patterns. With any maladaptive behavior, there is often an underlying cause or perhaps an underlying belief that is driving it.
• Psychotherapy: Also known as talk therapy, this therapeutic approach can be beneficial in treating substance use. Psychotherapy for substance use continues to be one of the most utilized, evidence-based interventions out there.
• Support groups: These are groups where individuals come together with similar struggles and who share and receive feedback or support from peers, as well as a group facilitator. There are both peer-led support groups in addition to groups led by qualified professionals. Support groups are a cost-effective way to treat substance use issues and receive support from others who can relate.
• Residential Treatment: You may find it difficult to recover in the same environment you became sick in. This particular type of treatment provides intensive therapy, as well as removes environmental triggers that would lead you to use in your home environment.

When to Seek Professional Support for Paint Huffing

It might be time to seek professional support for substance abuse when the following occurs: Frequency of use is significant or has increased, physical side effects are experienced, there is a noticeable change in the person’s behavior/personality, or the individual’s use is beginning to interfere with daily life such as family, school, or work obligations. An online therapist directory or online therapy platform might be a good place to start when trying to find a therapist who specializes in substance abuse. If you feel like you or your loved one are depending on substances to cope with mental health, a psychiatrist would be able to help support making appropriate medication adjustments. There are online psychiatrist options that can aid in finding substance abuse medication management.