Volatile Substance Abuse: A Review of Possible Long-Term Neurological, Intellectual and Psychiatric Sequelae

Abstract

The possibility that chronic abuse of volatile substances can cause permanent neurological, psychiatric, and intellectual sequelae is critically reviewed. Toluene, present in the commonly used adhesives, is most often implicated in 'glue sniffing'; this review focuses on its potential long-term effects. Many criticisms--particularly poor matching of control samples and inability to distinguish between acute and chronic effects--can be levelled at the available studies, while no adequate follow-up studies have been performed. In the light of present knowledge, the possibility that permanent structural brain damage, with accompanying psychiatric manifestations, results from solvent abuse remains inconclusive.

Exposure to organic solvents among car painters in Bergen, Norway

“…At high concentrations, anaesthesia and disturbances in respiration and circulation may occur and may lead to death. These eects are known from occupational exposure (Laine and RiihimaÈ ki, 1986) and from organic solvent abuse (Ron, 1986). In addition to these acute eects, organic solvents are known to cause adverse eects in the nervous system after long-term exposure.…”

Inhalant Abuse in Indian Country

“…Methanol, when swallowed or inhaled can cause dimness of vision and blindness (Id. ; Marjot and McLeod, 1989;Meadows and Verghese, 1996;Remington and Hoffman, 1984;Ron, 1986). Clinical psychiatric impressions of long-term IA suggests impairment of thinking processes.…”

Toxicologia do tolueno: aspectos relacionados ao abuso

“…Algumas outras publicações confirmam os resultados descritos anteriormente, referindo-se mais a achados neuropatológicos que envolvem a bainha de mielina 20,21,25,29,34,39,46 . Como já comentado, a principal causa de óbito entre inaladores de tolueno se relaciona a acidentes, tais como asfixia.…”

“…Como já comentado, a principal causa de óbito entre inaladores de tolueno se relaciona a acidentes, tais como asfixia. Mortes súbitas de inaladores também ocorrem por arritmia cardía-ca, resultante da ação das catecolaminas liberadas durante um exercício físico em um miocár-dio sensibilizado por inalantes utilizados, bem como por parada respiratória 1,11,12,17,34,43 .…”

“…No entanto, parece haver suficiente embasamento quanto ao desenvolvimento de tolerân-cia e dependência em decorrência do uso prolongado de colas 3,29,34 . A dependência se manifesta por: fissura e/ou compulsão para obter ou consumir a droga; inquietação, ansiedade, e irritabiliclade.…”