Epidemiology of Inhalant Abuse - Archives - National Institute on ...

The registered inhalant abusers ranged in age from 17 to 33 years. Ten
percent lived in foster homes, and 13 percent were homeless. They
varied in educational achievement, with 52 percent having finished
elementary school; 13 percent, vocational school; and 7 percent, high
school. Twenty-three percent had dropped out <strong>of</strong> school.
Drug use sequenced behaviors that began as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Smoking was initiated between ages 8 and 19, at an average age <strong>of</strong>
13 years.
Alcohol was initiated between ages 10 and 17, at an average <strong>of</strong> age
<strong>of</strong> 13 years.
First drunkenness occurred between ages 10 and 19, at an average
age <strong>of</strong> 13 years.
First substance was tried between ages 13 and 20, at an average age
<strong>of</strong> 16 years.
First intravenous use <strong>of</strong> a drug was initiated between ages 17 and 22,
at an average age <strong>of</strong> 18 years.
Regular drug use started between ages 15 and 27, at an average age
<strong>of</strong> 19 years (figure 3).
The groups used other drugs beside inhalants: prescription drugs
(i.e., sedatives and stimulants), 27 percent; opiates, 22 percent; cannabis,
19 percent; alcohol, 16 percent; hallucinogens, 13 percent; and stimulants
and cocaine, 3 percent (figure 4).
Thirteen percent <strong>of</strong> all clients received outpatient care for their drug
abuse. Thirty-nine percent were hospitalized for various periods <strong>of</strong> time:
17 percent for a maximum <strong>of</strong> 3 days, 21 percent for up to 3 months, and
4 percent for 7 months. Special treatment was received by 17 percent,
and psychological treatment was carried out with 26 percent <strong>of</strong> the
subjects.
Seven individuals (33 percent) attempted suicide (totaling 18 occasions),
some individuals twice, and three others attempted suicide three times.
The attempts were executed by hanging, stabbing, overdose <strong>of</strong>
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