Clinical Textbook of Addictive Disorders 3rd ed - R. Frances, S. Miller, A. Mack (Guilford, 2005) WW

176 III. SUBSTANCES OF ABUSE4.4% of youth ages 12–17 used inhalants in the past year, compared to 0.5% ofadults. Inhalants are often found in legal and easily obtained products.Inhalants are generally classified into four different groups:1. Volatile solvents, which include glue, paint thinner, and gasoline. Thestreet names for these are air blast, discorama, hippie crack, moon gas,oz and poor man’s pot.2. Aerosols, which include hair spray and spray paint.3. Gases, which include nitrous oxide and ether. Nitrous oxide is knownas laughing gas or whippets.4. Nitrites, which include amyl, butyl, and isobutyl nitrites.EffectsThe instant, short-lived high produced after directly inhaling these substances(called huffing) produce an instant, short-lived euphoria, along with disinhibition,impaired judgment, slurred speech, lethargy, nervous system depression,and, in extreme cases, unconsciousness.Prolonged use may result in neurological impairment and damage to theheart, lungs, and other vital organs. Death may be the result, usually from heartfailure, but can also be the result of asphyxiation, suffocation, choking, orbehavioral toxicity (CESAR, 2004).CONCLUSIONMDMA, ketamine, and GHB are by no means the only drugs found at clubs,raves, or circuit parties. They are, however, the most emblematic. Attendeesalso use more traditional drugs, such as LSD and other hallucinogens. Marijuanais perennially popular, and alcohol use is also common. Furthermore,each week seems to bring a report of some “new” drug of abuse. Often this is justan older, well-known drug, packaged differently or with a new name, but theeffect on a new generation of users will be just as devastating.Drugs such as these are being increasingly used at clubs, often in combination,and often by very young people. This is cause for concern for several reasons.The younger a person is when he or she begins to use drugs, and the moreoften he or she uses them, the more likely he or she is to develop serious problemswith these or other substances. In the future, we are likely to see more andmore use of such drugs and the problems that come with their use.When the evidence of MDMA’s neurotoxicity was lacking, and whatresearch existed on GHB and marijuana was not as compelling, individualsconcerned with the public’s safety could afford to be less alarmed. The mount-