Warning Signs

A new and frightening addiction is sweeping across the nation.  At first, it may seem harmless, but long term abuse of hot sauce can cause permanent mental and physical harm.

Hot sauce, or "tha hizzle", can be used innocently enough at first.  A single drop on  eggs...a dash on pizza.  In small amounts, hot sauce may even be beneficial to one's health.  But it is a thin line between use and abuse....

Here are some early warning signs of a hot sauce addiction:

--buying the largest container available.  While a small 4 oz. bottle used to work, you now find yourself asking store clerks "is this 1 liter bottle of Frank's the biggest you got?:"?"
 -beginning   to purchase multiple brands, styles, and heat levels.  Experimenting with the dangerously hot sizzle's such as Dave's Insanity Sauce, or Devil's Blood.
-Before deciding what food to order, you make sure to have a large, readily available amount of hot sauce in the house.

If a loved one has already displayed some of the early warning signs, be on the lookout for hints of a more serious addiction:

-The owning of a "sauce kit," such as a special dipping cup or ramican.  These are usually used to submerge an entire bite of food into the hot sauce,, coating the entire bite in The H Sizzle.   .
-Hiding empty bottles to conceal the amount of hot sauce that is being consumed.  Common hiding spots include the closet, under the bed, and out in the garage.
-sores on the hands from shaking an already empty bottle, irrationally waiting for that last drop to fall out.

If you know anyone who needs help, please call 1-800-say no to sizzle.  Here are a few clips to show the seriousness of this hot sauce epidemic: