Inhalant misuse in youth: time for a coordinated response

Inhalant abuse is of growing concern in adolescent and young adult population in the underdeveloped regions of the world. In the absence of availability of definitive tests in routine clinical settings, diagnosis is often difficult. Equally difficult is management and ensuring adherence to therapy. We report two successive cases of inhalant abuse seen at the outpatient department of the Department of Psychiatry, Mental Health Institute, SCB Medical College, Cuttack, Orissa, India. We report here two cases of inhalant abuse: one with an unusual mode of abuse and another with atypical clinical presentation.

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“…[6] Inhalants are cheap, easily available, and legal to procure. They are capable of producing a rapid euphoria.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inhalant abuse: A cause for concern

2011

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“…Experimentation with inhalants occurs earlier than with most other drugs of abuse as they are cheap, legal, readily accessible and provide a rapid ‘high’ [1]. Epidemiological studies suggest adolescents and young adults who continue to abuse inhalants chronically have higher levels of anxiety, depressive symptoms, impulsivity and antisocial behaviour [2] with many experiencing major psychiatric problems and/or progressing to illicit drug use [1]–[3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adolescent Toluene Inhalation in Rats Affects White Matter Maturation with the Potential for Recovery Following Abstinence

et al. 2012

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Inhalant misuse is common during adolescence, with ongoing chronic misuse associated with neurobiological and cognitive abnormalities. While human imaging studies consistently report white matter abnormalities among long-term inhalant users, longitudinal studies have been lacking with limited data available regarding the progressive nature of such abnormalities, including the potential for recovery following periods of sustained abstinence. We exposed adolescent male Wistar rats (postnatal day 27) to chronic intermittent inhaled toluene (3,000 ppm) for 1 hour/day, 3 times/week for 8 weeks to model abuse patterns observed in adolescent and young adult human users. This dosing regimen resulted in a significant retardation in weight gain during the exposure period (p<0.05). In parallel, we performed longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (T2-weighted) and diffusion tensor imaging prior to exposure, and after 4 and 8 weeks, to examine the integrity of white matter tracts, including the anterior commissure and corpus callosum. We also conducted imaging after 8 weeks of abstinence to assess for potential recovery. Chronic intermittent toluene exposure during adolescence and early adulthood resulted in white matter abnormalities, including a decrease in axial (p<0.05) and radial (p<0.05) diffusivity. These abnormalities appeared region-specific, occurring in the anterior commissure but not the corpus callosum and were not present until after at least 4 weeks of exposure. Toluene-induced effects on both body weight and white matter parameters recovered following abstinence. Behaviourally, we observed a progressive decrease in rearing activity following toluene exposure but no difference in motor function, suggesting cognitive function may be more sensitive to the effects of toluene. Furthermore, deficits in rearing were present by 4 weeks suggesting that toluene may affect behaviour prior to detectable white matter abnormalities. Consequently, exposure to inhalants that contain toluene during adolescence and early adulthood appear to differentially affect white matter maturation and behavioural outcomes, although recovery can occur following abstinence.

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“…Inhalants are abused (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2007) and associated with morbidity and mortality (Chalmers, 1991; Winek et al, 1995; Lubman, et al, 2006). It is therefore important to characterize the abuse liability of inhalants, as well as determine what variables may modulate their abuse liability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Choice of nitrous oxide and its subjective effects in light and moderate drinkers

Zacny

Walker

Derus

2008

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

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Background-Alcohol-drinking status has been shown to modulate the reinforcing and subjective effects of a number of drugs. We have previously published two studies on the modulating effects of alcohol-drinking status on choice for, and subjective effects of, nitrous oxide, but the results were equivocal. Using a methodology different from our previous studies, we sought to determine in a more definitive fashion the degree to which the choice of nitrous oxide and its subjective effects were modulated by drinking status.Methods-Four concentrations of nitrous oxide (0, 20, 30, 40%) were administered to 16 moderate drinkers (MDs) and 16 light drinkers (LDs) across four 3.5-h sessions. During experimental sessions, subjects first completed two 10-min sampling trials in which one of the nitrous oxide concentrations and placebo (100% oxygen) were inhaled. Subjective and psychomotor tests were given 5 min into each sampling trial. During the subsequent choice period, subjects were allowed to choose what they wanted to inhale (drug, placebo, or "drug-free air") on nine contiguous 5-min choice trials.Results-Choice of nitrous oxide was modulated by drinking status: MDs but not LDs chose nitrous oxide significantly more times than placebo, and MDs also chose nitrous oxide significantly more times than did LDs. At each active nitrous oxide concentration, MDs reported more abuse liabilityrelated subjective effects, especially at the 20% and 30% concentrations. Conclusions-The results of the present study provide more conclusive evidence that choice as well as subjective effects of nitrous oxide are modulated by alcohol-drinking status.

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Inhalant misuse in youth: time for a coordinated response

Cited by 31 publications

References 21 publications

Inhalant abuse: A cause for concern

Inhalant abuse: A cause for concern

Adolescent Toluene Inhalation in Rats Affects White Matter Maturation with the Potential for Recovery Following Abstinence

Choice of nitrous oxide and its subjective effects in light and moderate drinkers

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