Illicit Drug Use in Teenagers: The Impact of Sudden Sniffing Death

Sudden Sniffing Death, known as SSD, is a common trait among first time inhalant abusers, most often teenagers. While this recreational, illicit, drug related sudden death can occur in individuals with prolonged drug use and abuse, it is most common among those who are experimenting with recreational drugs for the first time.

In the process of "sniffing", a process in which chemicals, not intended for inhalation, are inhaled, the oxygen in the respiratory system, including the lungs and brain, are displaced. When this occurs, the individual engaged in "sniffing" may experience a variety of symptoms, including a fatal reaction involving a sudden cardiac arrest due to the heart's increased rapid response to the lack of oxygen.

To be classified as addictive drug use, the chemical involved in "sniffing" must be one in which the tolerance levels are increased over time and/or the withdrawal of the chemical results in apparent, adverse physical symptoms. For individuals who engage in recreational inhalant abuse, addiction is quite common as inhalant use and abuse leads to both types of complications, tolerance and withdrawal. So, how do you know if your teenager is at risk for inhalant use and engaging in "sniffing"?

With children as young as six and seven years of age known to abuse inhalants, and participate in "sniffing", parents should be well versed in the common warning signs of inhalant abuse and the risks that lead to Sudden Sniffing Death. Physically, when using an inhalant, the child will exhibit symptoms similar to that of a common cold or allergies, including runny nose, watery eyes, loss of appetite and even headache pain. Most notably, however, these children will also exhibit symptoms that appear as a rash around the nose and mouth, commonly referred to as "sniffer's rash".