INDIANAPOLIS -- Huffing rates are on the rise among young teens in Indiana and across the country, according to a new study.

The National Inhalant Prevention Coalition released its findings on Friday showing that more 12-year-olds have abused potentially lethal inhalants than have used marijuana, cocaine and hallucinogens combined.

Huffing involves the inhalation of legal household substances including aerosol sprays, nail polish, gasoline and air conditioner refrigerant, 6News' Sarah Cornell reported.

"It was very popular for us. Everyone knew about it," said Ashley Upchurch, 17, a recovering addict who underwent treatment at Indianapolis' Fairbanks Hospital.

She said she and her high school friends would huff several times a week, mostly using the condensed air meant to clean keyboards.

"It was extremely easy to get because you could go into a store and you could steal it, or you could even steal it from your parents' computer rooms," Upchurch said.

For parents, huffing can be difficult to pinpoint, the study found.

"You can't catch it in a drug screen. Parents can't see the signs," said Rachelle Gardner, Fairbanks' director of adolescence. "It's not a long-lasting affect like with marijuana or alcohol. You can't see them drunk and you can't see them stoned."

She advised parents be wary if their child has a chronic sore throat, runny nose or is moody and exhausted.

Upchurch urged other teens not to treat the threat of the short, intense high lightly.

"You're not going to look glamorous when your parents find you dead in your room because you were inhaling," she said.

To prevent children from buying inhalants, like keyboard cleaner, some stores now require those who purchase the products to be at least 18 years old.