Chroming: A Dangerous Trend Threatening Youth

The practice of “chroming,” a form of inhalant abuse, has emerged as a concerning trend among youth, akin to older practices like huffing. It involves inhaling fumes from everyday products like markers, aerosol sprays, and metallic paint to experience a high. Experts like Dr. Anthony Pizon from the University of Pittsburgh warn that this method is incredibly risky, sometimes leaving users with metallic residue on their face due to the paint.

While inhalant abuse declined in past decades, experimentation among teenagers is once again on the rise, according to data from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. In 2023, around 564,000 adolescents in the U.S. engaged in inhalant abuse, with experts noting that underlying mental health issues such as anxiety and depression often fuel the trend. The rise of social media also plays a role, with platforms like TikTok attempting to curb content that promotes inhalant misuse.

Chroming has immediate effects similar to alcohol intoxication, such as dizziness, slurred speech, and euphoria. However, the consequences of continued use can be severe, including kidney and liver damage, neurological issues, and even death. The unpredictability of these outcomes is alarming—some users suffer fatal consequences from a single session.

Prevention strategies can be challenging since most of the substances used are common household items. Experts recommend open, empathetic conversations with children, discussing the dangers of chroming without judgment. Parents should also consider securing potentially dangerous products and monitoring social media activity to reduce exposure to content that normalizes substance abuse.