Patterns of Inhalant Use in Humans

Chnical and epidemiological observations suggest that inhalant use in humans occurs along a continuum, with considerable variability in usage patterns among individuals as a function of age, gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, avahabihty and type of inhalant, and other clinical variables. As a general rule, it is expected that as inhalant consumption and frequency of intoxication increase, the incidence and severity of medical and psychosocial problems wiU increase. 

Rosenberg and Sharp (National Inhalant Prevention Coalition 2003) identified four patterns of solvent use  

Transient social use, characteri2ed by a short history of use in social situations, occurring mainly among individuals of average intelhgence who are age 10—16 years 

Chronic social use, characterized by daily social use for 5 or more years, which usually occurs among individuals with poor social skills and hm-ited education who are age 20—30 years and who may also have evidence of brain damage and minor legal problems 

Transient isolated use, characterized by a short history of solo use among individuals age 10—16 years 

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