Children all over the world have found a new way to get “high”. There isn’t a test that can detect it. You can’t smell it or find it hidden in the dresser drawer. It’s not illegal like heroin and cocaine. You won’t need a syringe and you don’t smoke it. It’s deadly and it’s quickly becoming widespread. It has many names, but one is more popular than others. It’s called the choking game and it’s anything but a game. Children are getting “high” by choking themselves. Who would have ever thought that the next drug of choice wouldn’t be a drug at all, but that it would be self-asphyxiation?

Children are intentionally cutting off the supply of oxygen to their brains in order to get a “high”. They use bags, belts, ties or their bare hands to cause hypoxia, a shortage of oxygen, until they pass out. The pressure on the arteries is then released and blood flow to the brain resumes. This causes a “rush” as consciousness returns. Children describe this experience as being in a dream like state. Sometimes the game consists of a choker and a chokee. Most often though children are doing this alone. Unfortunately the outcome of this has very predictable consequences. If the children miss the small opportunity to loosen the knot before they pass out then they will likely fall and choke to death. The choking game is also known by other names such as The American Dream, fainting game, something dreaming game, purple hazing, blacking out and passout.

Obviously there are no drug tests that can detect this new way of getting “high”, but there are warning signs that parents should watch out for. Warning signs include bloodshot eyes, marks on the neck, closed doors, headaches, hostility, unexplained bruises and ropes, scarves or belts tied to bedroom furniture or doorknobs or found knotted on the floor. Parents of children who are allowed to access the internet should check the history of sites their children have visited. Information about the game is available all over the internet.

The choking game can cause permanent and cumulative death of large numbers of brain cells. The variation of blood pressure may result in strokes, seizures and retinal damage. The reality of this game more times than not is death. The children who prefer to play this “game” might as well be playing russian roulette. They are not always able to free themselves in time. They literally hang themselves and their deaths are often mistaken for suicide.

Fourteen year old Sasha Sepasi was found by her thirteen year old brother. She was slumped on the floor of her walk-in closet. One end of a belt was fastened around her neck and the other end was looped over a hook on the wall. Her goal was to get a euphoric rush. Unfortunately she got more than she bargained for. Blotchy bruises caused from pooling blood told the story. She had choked herself to death.

Thirteen year old Gabriel learned how to play the choking game from an older boy. The boy taught Gabriel and his twin brother Sam how to hyperventilate and apply pressure to their necks. Gabriel loved playing the game. Unfortunately he loved it to death. Sam found Gabriel with a rope around his neck. He was unresponsive. He was airlifted to the hospital and fifteen hours later he died.

Nineteen year old Colin Simpson was an electricians apprentice and he enjoyed every minute of it. He also enjoyed the “high” from cutting off his oxygen supply. Colin died from Autoerotic Asphyxiation or AEA. He was found with his arms up as if he was trying to free himself.

Ten year old Dalton Eby was reported missing after failing to return home after visiting a friend. The search and rescue crews found his body hanging in a tree near his home. The game was known well by the youth of the town. Dalton’s parents had never heard of the game before and neither had the parents of his friends.

Thirteen year old Chelsea Dunn’s Death was ruled inconclusive. She was found hanging in her closet. Dunn’s family believes the choking game caused her death. The game was popular with a group of girls at her school. Six girls were caught by a security camera choking each other in the hallway.

Fads come and go. No one knows how long it will be before the choking game loses popularity. It is also unknown how many children will die from it. Solid statistics can not be made because most deaths caused by the choking game are ruled as suicides. Most children do not even realize that they can die from doing this. They need to be educated before it is too late. Before they are found hanging by a rope in their rooms. Before they kill themselves trying to get “high”.

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