Inhalants abusers

People who abuse inhalants are found in both urban and rural settings. Adverse socioeconomic conditions, rather than racial or cultural factors per se, account for most reported ethnic differences in rates of inhalant abuse. Native American youths living on reservations typically have higher rates of inhalant abuse than youths both in the general population and among Native Americans who do not live on reservations (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 1996). 

According to DSM-IV-TR (American Psychiatric Association 2000), inhalant use disorders include inhalant abuse and inhalant dependence. The DSM-IV-TR criteria for these conditions apply only to the use of volatile solvents, and... 

Despite recent advances in understanding the neuropharmacological basis of inhalant dependence, there are no published studies examining the effects of potentially efficacious medications in the treatment of this condition. In the following sections, we discuss psychopharmacological agents that, because of their known effects on the neurotransmitter systems that mediate inhalants reinforcing effects, may assist inhalant abusers achieve abstinence. 

Fuxe K, Andersson K, Nilsen OG, et al Toluene and telencephalic dopamine selective reduction of amine mrnover in discrete DA nerve terminal systems of the anterior caudate nucleus by low concentrations of toluene. Toxicol Lett 12 115—123,1982 Cause EM, Mendez V, Geller I Exploratory smdies of a rodent model for inhalant abuse. Neurobehav Toxicol Teratol 7 143—148, 1985 Gentry JR, Hill C, Malcolm R New anticonvulsants a review of applications for the management of substance abuse disorders. Ann Clin Psychiatry 14 233—245, 2002 Gerasimov MR, Ferrieri RA, Schiffer WK, et al Smdy of brain uptake and biodistribution of [llCjtoluene in non-human primates and mice. Life Sci 70 2811 — 2828, 2002... 

Kucuk NO, Kilic EO, Ibis E, et al Brain SPECT findings in long-term inhalant abuse. Nucl Med Commun 21 769-773, 2000... 

Sellers EM, Naranjo CA, Harrison M, et al Diazepam loading simplified treatment of alcohol withdrawal. Clin Pharmacol Ther 34 822-826, 1983 Sharp CW Introduction to inhalant Abuse, in Inhalant Abuse A Volatile Research Agenda (NIDA Research Monograph 129). Edited by Sharp CW, Beuvais F, Spence R. Rockville, MD, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1992, pp 1-10 Smelson DA, Losonczy MF, Davis CW, et al Risperidone decreases craving and relapses in individuals with schizophrenia and cocaine dependence. Can J Psychiatry 47 671-675, 2002... 

Schneider NG, Jarvik ME, Forsythe AB (1984) Nicotine vs, placebo gum in the alleviation of withdrawal during smoking cessation. Addict Behav 9 149-156 Schuh KJ, Schuh LM, Henningfield JE, Stitzer ML (1997) Nicotine nasal spray and vapor inhaler abuse liability assessment. Psychopharmacology 130 352-361 Schuster CR, Henningfield J (2003) Conference on abuse liability assessment of CNS drugs. Drug Alcohol Depend 70 S1-S4... 

Alcohol Abuse, Alcohol Dependence Amphetamine Abuse, Amphetamine Dependence Cannabis Abuse, Cannabis Dependence Cocaine Abuse, Cocaine Dependence Hallucinogen Abuse, Hallucinogen Dependence Inhalant Abuse, Inhalant Dependence Nicotine Dependence Opiate Abuse, Opiate Dependence Phencyclidine Abuse, Phencyclidine Dependence... 

Chronic maternal inhalation abuse of toluene during pregnancy has been associated with teratogenic effects in a number of case reports. Manifestations include microcephaly. 

Signs of inhalant abuse are unusual breath odor or chemical odor on clothing paint or stain marks on the face, fingers, or clothing spots or sores around the mouth and red or runny eyes or nose. Other clues include hidden rags or clothing, or empty containers. 

The National Inhalant Prevention Coalition (http //www.inhalants.org/) deals with the persistent problem of abuse of inhalants (such as paint thinner, glue, nail polish, and even correction fluid). Their web site describes inhalant abuse and gives tips for parents on how to spot its presence in children. 

Inhalant abuse is found in both urban and mral areas of the United States and Canada. Research indicates social and economic rather than racial and cultural factors in general impact the rate of inhalant abuse. Poverty, physical or mental abuse as a child, poor grades in school, and dropping out of school are all associated with increased inhalant abuse. At particularly high risk are Native American youths who live on reservations where poverty and school dropout rates are high. 

According to Alcoholism Addiction Magazine, researchers have put together a user profile of inhalant abusers. Almost all of the profile indicators relate to social and economic conditions. The profile of a typical inhalant abuser is poor academic achievement in junior high or middle school, no father living at home, poor coping skills, insecurity and low self-esteem, low I.Q., depression, an alcoholic living in the home, family problems, and low family income. 

One problem with long-term inhalant abuse is that it can break down myelin in the body, according to a NIDA report. Myelin is a fatty tissue that surrounds many of the body s nerve cells called neurons. The nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are like a command central for the body. They transmit messages that control just about everything the body does. If the myelin breaks down, the nerve cells may not be able to transmit messages. 

Many persons who have abused inhalants, especially for prolonged periods of several days, find they have a strong need to continue using them. Compulsive use and a mild withdrawal syndrome can occur with longterm inhalant abuse. 

McGarvey, E.L., et al. Adolescent Inhalant Abuse Environments of Use. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. (Nov. 1999) 731-741. 

Meyerhoff, Michael K. Facts About Inhalant Abuse. Pediatrics for Parents (July 2001) 9. 

Inhalant abuse refers to the intentional inhalation of such products to experience a carefree, euphoric high. The exact mind-altering effects of inhalants vary, depending on the product involved, but they are generally similar to those produced by alcohol intoxication or anesthesia. The health ramifications can be serious, in both the short and long term, because most inhalants are highly toxic. 

Hundreds of thousands of Americans experiment with inhalants for the first time each year, according to results of the 2000 National Household Survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health Human Services. The survey found that in 1999, one million Americans tried inhalants for the first time—the highest annual number of inhalant initiates since 1965. The 1998 estimate of new inhalant abusers was 918,000 in 1997 it reached 975,000. 

Inhalant abuse can also be a hazard in some occupations. People who work in the refrigeration industry may abuse Freon, hydrocarbons used in refrigerants and people working in medical fields may abuse nitrous oxide. A 1979 study, Abuse of Nitrous Oxide, published in Anesthesia Analgesia, found that 20% of dental and medical students had abused nitrous oxide. 

In 2002, the National Institute on Dmg Abuse (NIDA) dedicated about 2 million to fund studies on the nature and extent of inhalant abuse. NIDA sought proposals for research in the following areas different types of abused substances socio-cultural, socioeconomic, gender, and regional differences in use and factors associated with individuals risk of, vulnerability to, protection against, and resistance to inhalant abuse. 

---