What Is Chroming? Definition & Dangers

What Is Chroming?

Chroming, also known as “huffing,” “bagging,” or “glading” is a common means of getting high. Solvents may be poured or sprayed on a rag, into a bag, or even a balloon, such as in the case of nitrous oxide. Inhalants act as nervous system depressants, which are capable of entering the brain and bloodstream within seconds of breathing in the fumes.

The term “chroming” originated in Australia and was popularized on TikTok, where videos are posted under the hashtag “whiptok”. There has not been a great deal of study on the effect of social media on pro- or anti-drug behaviors, particularly inhalant use.  However, we may be able to generalize from understanding findings on the use of other drugs that are commonly featured on social media. The prevalence of tweets about the nonmedical use of Adderall (eg, as a study aid) may produce a misperception that risky drug use behavior is acceptable among peer groups, and that, in turn, may lead to socially normalizing abusive drug behavior and increasing the levels of abuse.¹ While Twitter was discussed in this article, TikTok is a similarly popular social media platform mainly populated by younger users. Its popularization of chroming among young users is highly concerning.  The use of inhalants may cause addiction, brain damage, or even death.

Misuse of inhalants is not new. In 2015, about 684,000 adolescents aged 12 to 17 used inhalants in the past year.² The availability, brief and unobtrusive means of using inhalants, and the relatively low cost put youth at particular risk. “Chroming” is simply the latest terminology which tells us that inhalant use remains popular.

Methods of Inhalation

There are thousands of commonly used solvents and aerosols that can be misused to get high.  There are a handful of common means used to achieve the desired effect.  Inhalants may be used for a “buzz,” to enhance the use of other drugs or alcohol or to intensify sexual experiences.  The method of use determines the concentration of the fumes being ingested and the dangerousness.

Huffing

Huffing refers to breathing in solvents from an inhalant-soaked rag in the mouth or inhaling nitrous oxide from filled balloons.

Bagging

Bagging is the practice of depositing or spraying an aerosol, solvent, or glue inside a bag and inhaling the fumes.  This is one of the more concentrated ways of using inhalants.

Sniffing Or Snorting

Inhalants can be sniffed directly from the container or wherever they are used.

Spraying

Spraying consists of spraying the chemical directly into the nose or mouth.

Why Is Chroming Trending?

TikTok is popular among the pre-adolescent and adolescent crowd over older users. Pre-adolescent consumers are heavier users and interact more with TikTok than adolescent consumers, including in relation to seeking out new social networks.³ TikTok videos have a wide variety of uses, such as advertising products, expressing oneself creatively, or sharing ideas. One common use is to “challenge” users to support causes or try an activity that ranges from silly to potentially dangerous. Users are expected to exercise discretion and use caution. Youth may be susceptible to trying dangerous challenges because of the impact of admiring social media influencers demonstrating these challenges or wishing to become social media famous by posting their attempt at the challenge.

Volatile chemicals used in chroming are often mistaken as “safer” than street or prescription drugs since they are unregulated.  Inhalants can be purchased in any drugstore, hardware store, big box retail, or online from Amazon. The ease of availability has undoubtedly contributed to the trend.

What Are the Side Effects of Chroming?

Chroming has similar side intoxicant effects to using alcohol.  Chroming produces a short-term “high” which includes feelings of euphoria, excitement, giggling, and sometimes hallucinations or delusions. At higher or more concentrated doses, the user is more likely to experience more extreme effects such as altered reality, heart palpitations, fainting, or even death. Physical risks and withdrawal can occur over longer-term use. Long-term users may be pale, inattentive, and have tremors or loss of taste and smell.  Long-term use is linked to depression, forgetfulness, and withdrawal symptoms such as nausea.

Common adverse effects of chroming include:

• Abnormal heart rate
• Runny nose
• Blurred vision
• Feeling high or euphoric
• Impaired judgment
• Slurred speech
• Nausea or vomiting
• Aggression or agitation
• Headaches or Fainting
• Disorientation
• Lethargy

What Are the Risks of Chroming?

Inhalants (other than nitrites) affect the user’s brain systems by depressing the central nervous system. This produces intoxicating and anesthetic effects.  Nitrates have different mechanisms of action and work by dilating and relaxing blood vessels.  A 2007 animal study indicates that toluene, a solvent found in many commonly abused inhalants — including model airplane glue, paint sprays, and paint and nail polish removers — activates the brain’s dopamine system. The dopamine system has been shown to play a role in the rewarding effects of nearly all drugs of abuse.⁴

The direct effect of inhalants on the brain also brings serious risks, some of which can be reversible upon discontinuing use and some of which can cause long-term brain damage or even death.  Chroming has no known “safe” dose.

Common risks of chroming include:

• Cardiac issues like dysrhythmia
• Disorientation
• Decreased coordination
• Visual distortions
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Headaches
• Hallucinations
• Blackouts and convulsions, coma
• Sudden sniffing death
• Choking
• Suffocation
• Stomach ulcers
• Liver or kidney damage
• Seizure
• Coma
• Increased risk of substance use disorders over the lifespan
• Low birth weight or abnormalities in exposed infants

Signs of Inhalant Overdose

Animal and human research shows that most inhalants are extremely toxic. Perhaps the most significant toxic effect of chronic exposure to inhalants is widespread and long-lasting damage to the brain and other parts of the nervous system.⁴ At high doses or in someone who is highly susceptible, the user may have chest pain, seizures, and vomiting, which can result in coma or death.

Common signs of inhalant overdose include:

• Sleepiness
• Coughing/choking
• Chemical burns on the face
• Slurred speech
• Seizures
• Diarrhea
• Hallucinations or delusions

If someone shows signs of an inhalant overdose, you should call poison control and 911 immediately.  To the extent possible, you should give information about what substance was used, the level of use, medical history, including mental health, and a description of the current symptoms. Make sure the area is well-ventilated while you wait for help.

Can Chroming Be Fatal?

Chroming can be fatal. The risk of fatality from the practice can arise either from a chemical or method of use that creates a high and concentrated dose, a high susceptibility due to pre-existing respiratory or heart issues, or inhaling the chemicals quickly and in repeated doses in an attempt to maintain the high.  In addition, the effects of chroming can result in low inhibition and unsafe or risk-taking behaviors while under the influence.

Common ways that chroming can be fatal include:

• Accidents while under the influence
• Hypoxia from loss of oxygen in the lungs
• Closing of the throat from nitrate abuse
• Heart failure

How to Talk To Your Kids About Chroming

Social media has a big influence on youth. Just as watching their favorite social media influencers can induce interest in a product, there is evidence that social media can lead to substance use. “ In a longitudinal study of high school students, Nesi and colleagues showed that kids who saw their peers drinking alcohol on social media were more likely to start drinking and to binge drink 1 year later, even after controlling for demographic and developmental risk.”^{5, 6} This finding can be generalized to the overall susceptibility of youth to negative online influences.

However, social media has also demonstrated a positive influence on teens, giving them an opportunity to socialize with teens at a distance, find information on things they might be concerned about, and express themselves. Safe social media use with reasonable boundaries can be a means to enjoy the benefits and reduce the risks. Knowing that social media has both negative and positive effects on your teen can provide context to discussions about chroming.

Below are tips for talking to your kids about chroming:

• Have open and non-judgmental communication: Find out what your kids enjoy viewing on social media. Let your child know that if they have questions about anything they learn, they can come to you without you getting angry.
• Offer information and education: Discuss the ways that social media can be deceptive and can misrepresent either who is posting or the risks of things being posted. Share the dangers of using substances, including alcohol, tobacco, prescriptions, illegal drugs, and non-controlled substances like inhalants. Have them help you find sources on both sides of a topic like chroming. Make sure that you also discuss that any “challenges” posted may not consider all the risks.
• Educate yourself: Make sure that you are informed about the various platforms your kids may be using and any dangers inherent in them. New platforms bring different risks, and new platforms are being developed all the time.
• Set clear boundaries: Ensure that your youth’s social media exposure is within reasonable limits. Issues often arise with higher “doses” of social media.  Some parents collect devices at night or turn off the Wi-Fi at bedtime.

Treatment for Chroming Addiction

While it is a less common addiction, it is possible to develop an addiction to inhalants. Similar to other drugs, a user can develop tolerance and an increased need to use in order, along with feeling uncomfortable when not having the opportunity to use. Their life can become unmanageable with negative consequences due to the continued use of inhalants. In these situations, it is important to be evaluated for the appropriate level of care. Inpatient or outpatient rehab offers multiple options.

Potential treatment options for chroming addiction include:

• Residential treatment: Residential treatment offers the opportunity to be in a controlled environment without access to the drug of choice, with intensive individual and group treatment available. This option can be particularly helpful if the person has any co-occurring addictions or mental health concerns.
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP): Intensive outpatient treatment can offer similarly intensive services as residential treatment but with the opportunity for the person in treatment to continue to sleep in their own home. It is often offered at hours that allow the person to continue to attend school or work.
• Outpatient treatment: Outpatient treatment is usually offered on a weekly basis at least at first, and may include both therapy and psychiatry services for inhalant addiction.
• Partial hospitalization program: Partial hospitalization treatment for addiction is a high-intensity program that offers individual and group modalities at a level of intensity similar to what is offered in a residential setting without living accommodations. This option typically does not allow the person to attend school or work during the program.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT for addiction is an evidence-based approach to developing coping skills to manage self-talk and negative cognitions that underlie emotions and lead to using substances.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT for addiction offers a means to learn emotional self-regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness to recover from substance use.
• 12-Step Programs: These programs use the principles of 12-step programs similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. They offer support and peers who understand and are in recovery as well. The 12 Steps can be used along with any other type of treatment.
• Family Therapy: Family therapy is often helpful, especially in cases where younger patients are experiencing a substance abuse issue.  Addiction can often be described as a “family disease,” and family treatment can help increase the chances for long-lasting recovery.

When To Get Professional Support

It is best to seek professional support when someone might be chroming. When there have been attempts to quit on their own, which have been unsuccessful, when chroming is affecting work or school functioning, or the person has already experienced negative health effects from the practice, professional help is indicated. For young patients, it is best to find teens a therapist or substance abuse counselor who specializes in working with youth.

An online therapist directory or online therapy platform is a good choice for finding a therapist who specializes in substance abuse when the problem does not require inpatient treatment or as a step down from more intensive forms of treatment.  It is often helpful to be assessed by a psychiatrist who can help determine the appropriate level of care based on the seriousness of the addiction.  Online psychiatrist options may be a  good choice for finding substance abuse medication management or having an assessment.  Your pediatrician or primary care provider might also have recommendations.