Huffing: Wrecking Lives

A US Soldier with a very promising career as a US Army flight medic, who worked on Black Hawk helicopters and later at military hospitals, has now found his life trapped behind bars. It wasn’t until he suffered a traumatic brain injury in the Army; IED attack in Iraq that has left him with post traumatic stress disorder, which started his migraines and memory loss. He had also sustained minor shrapnel wounds, but the real damage was to his brain. That’s when a fellow soldier and friend gave him a can of compressed air and said it might help with the headaches. “It takes everything off your mind; it’s prevalent in the military. It’s readily available, and there is no drug test for it. It’s so fast acting; it doesn’t leave a trace in your blood and urine.”

The buzz occurs because of hypoxia, when oxygen is denied to the brain. Effects include lung damage and poisoning by the chemical propellants, which can even lead to fatal conditions like heart arrhythmia in rare cases. Having gone through rehab a few times before, he kept relapsing and going back to huffing. The former US Soldier hopes to use his experiences in the future to reach out to young children and let them know the dangers behind huffing. There are many great resources out there to help you live a clean and sober life. The first step is to admit you have a problem and want to seek the help needed. If you or someone you know has a substance dependency check out Seabrook and all the programs offered to fit every ones needs.