|
The abuse of inhalants is unique because the substances inhaled are cheap and legal to own. Typical inhalants are hydrocarbons, easily available in gasoline, paint thinner, some glues, cleaners, and correction fluids, among other sources. Dosage can occur by inhaling substances through soaked rags, or from bags containing the substance, or directly from containers or aerosol sprays. Intoxication can follow quickly. Because the substances are cheap and legal, inhalants are often the first drugs that young people use for experimentation. No clear withdrawal syndrome has been identified,
but abuse and dependence can occur. As with other diagnoses, the
abuse or dependence must interfere with the individual's life before
it is diagnosable. Because the agents inhaled are so easily
available, there is little direct connection between the abuse or
dependence and illegal behaviors used to finance the habit.
Nevertheless, the high obtained is sufficiently attractive so that
use of inhalants may lead to clinically significant behavioral
changes. Inhalant intoxication can be diagnosed after usage if the
person shows enough symptoms from a set including euphoria,
belligerence, assaultiveness, bad judgment, impaired functioning,
dizziness, nystagmus, slurred speech, unsteady gait, and other
related signs of perceptual, behavioral, or experiential distortion. Last updated 12/19/03 |
||
