Inhalant Use Disorders

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the topic of Inhalant Use Disorder and two corresponding cases. Included in the chapter are the diagnostic criteria for this particular use disorder, epidemiology of inhalant use, subtypes of inhalants used, as well as acute, chronic, and psychosocial impacts of use. Volatile solvents, aerosols, gases, and nitrites are the large classes of inhalants that are used for their psychoactive properties (National Institute on Drug Abuse. What are the other medical consequences of inhalant abuse? National Institute on Drug Abuse; 2020. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/inhalants/what-are-other-medical-consequences-inhalant-abuse). Detrimental effects of use are intoxication, but also asphyxiation, seizure, coma, and fatal injury. As a result of the diverse nature of this disorder it has been difficult to study; in particular, much of what is known about the precise physiologic effects has been established through studies of occupational exposure to toluene and other chemical vapors (Howard MO, Bowen SE, Garland EL, Perron BE, Vaughn MG. Inhalant use and inhalant use disorders in the United States. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice; 2011. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3188822/). Though unideal, this model has been useful. Inhalant substances confer physiologic impacts throughout the body; no system avoids insult. The chronicity of detrimental impact of use is variable and unpredictable, and results of use are largely based on duration and repetition of use. Treatment of inhalant use disorder centers around primary prevention strategies, education initiatives, and psychosocial interventions; pharmacologic intervention options are limited.