Because numerous products contain organic
solvents, preventing inhalant abuse is challenging.
The very fact that these products are ordinary and
common perpetuates the mistaken belief that
inhaling them is harmless. Many parents are
unaware of the practice of sniffing or huffing such
products. Substance abuse experts urge parents to
read product labels to identify those products that
contain organic solvents to minimize the amount
of such products in the home. Indications a child
may be abusing substances containing organic sol-
vents include
- RASHaround the NOSEand MOUTH
- wheezing and coughing (new and unrelated to
upper respiratory INFECTION) - red, teary eyes
- unpredictable and erratic behavior
COMMONLY ABUSED ORGANIC SOLVENTS
acetone benzene
methanol methyl butyl ketone
methyl ethyl ketone methylene chloride
toluene trichloroethane
trichloroethylene
See also ALKYL NITRITES; ILLICIT DRUG USE; PANIC
DISORDER.
performance-enhancing substances Drugs, hor-
mones, herbs, and nutritional supplements an
individual takes to improve athletic capability or
that results in an unfair competitive advantage.
Performance-enhancing substances present health
risks because they alter the body’s functions or
structure.
Athletic organizations in the United States and
internationally prohibit the use of performance-
enhancing substances at all levels of participation
and competition, though the kinds of substances
banned varies with the sport and level of competi-
tion. However, use and abuse of performance-
enhancing substances remains a particular
concern among younger athletes who compete at
levels where testing for banned substances is
infrequent or does not occur. PEER PRESSUREand
perceptions that such substances are necessary to
excel (win) may also be factors.
CAFFEINEis perhaps the most commonly used
performance-enhancing substance. Coffee, tea,
and cola drinks contain caffeine as do many
energy drinks, gels, and food bars. Energy prod-
ucts also commonly contain GINSENG and other
herbs that act as STIMULANTS. Some contain ma
huang, a Chinese herb whose active ingredient is
ephedra, a stimulant that is no longer legal in the
United States. Other commonly available products
used for their stimulant actions to enhance per-
formance are decongestants such as pseu-
doephedrine. Illicit performance-enhancing
substances include ANABOLIC STEROIDS AND STEROID
PRECURSORS, ERYTHROPOIETIN (EPO), human growth
hormone (hGH), and prescription stimulants.
See also BLOOD DOPING; DESIGNER DRUGS; HOR-
MONE; MUSCLE.phencyclidine (PCP) A veterinary anesthetic
that causes varied and unpredictable effects when
used as a substance of abuse. A single use may
result in long-term psychiatric disorders such as
PARANOIA, PSYCHOSIS, mood disorders, and SCHIZO-
PHRENIA. Though the risks for DEPENDENCE and
ADDICTIONare high with chronic use, the unpre-
dictability and unpleasantness of PCP’s effects tend
to limit its use. PCP is a schedule 2 drug in the
United States. However, no manufacturers cur-
rently produce it so it is nearly always an illicit
drug. The most common method of use is to
sprinkle the powder on a cigarette or onto mari-
juana and smoke it.HEALTH RISKS OF PHENCYCLIDINE ABUSE
Short Term
amnesia dissociation
extreme anxiety HALLUCINATION
involuntary MUSCLEactivity loss of physical coordination
slurred speech violent behaviorLong Term
GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER mood disorders
(GAD) movement disorders
PARANOIA PSYCHOSIS
SCHIZOPHRENIASee also ILLICIT DRUG USE; HALLUCINOGENS; KETA-
MINE; STIMULANTS; SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION; SUB-
STANCE ABUSE TREATMENT.348 Substance Abuse