Epidemiology of Inhalant Abuse - Archives - National Institute on ...
Epidemiology of Inhalant Abuse - Archives - National Institute on ...
Epidemiology of Inhalant Abuse - Archives - National Institute on ...
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truant, who have m<strong>on</strong>ey, and who are unaware <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the harmful effects <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
inhalants. In several countries, sniffing was most comm<strong>on</strong> am<strong>on</strong>g those<br />
who were neglected by their families and when drug use also was present<br />
in the family. Boredom, peer influence, curiosity, and lack <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> discipline<br />
were other factors identified as associated with inhalant abuse. A study<br />
<strong>on</strong> the psychological pr<str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g>ile <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> inhalant abusers in the Philippines showed<br />
that they were highly emoti<strong>on</strong>al and have a str<strong>on</strong>g need for acceptance,<br />
affecti<strong>on</strong>, and trust. They also had low self-esteem.<br />
Pattern <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Inhalant</str<strong>on</strong>g> Use. Am<strong>on</strong>g the reas<strong>on</strong>s for inhalant abuse are the<br />
easy availability, easy accessibility, and affordable price <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> various<br />
substances. The quick-high effect is another attractive factor.<br />
The pattern <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> inhalant abuse appears to differ between the countries. For<br />
example, in Australia and Brunei Darussalam, inhalant abuse mainly is<br />
experimental and transiti<strong>on</strong>al, and it lasts for a short durati<strong>on</strong>. This is in<br />
c<strong>on</strong>trast with the Philippines and Thailand, where use and abuse usually<br />
are <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> an <strong>on</strong>going and compulsive nature. This difference, if valid, will<br />
provide an indicator <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the severity <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the problem in some countries in<br />
the regi<strong>on</strong>. However, since the sources <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> informati<strong>on</strong> and study<br />
populati<strong>on</strong> are varied, this observati<strong>on</strong> is n<strong>on</strong>c<strong>on</strong>clusive.<br />
In most countries, a sizeable proporti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> experimenters would progress<br />
to become regular users <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> these substances. In some instances, inhalant<br />
abuse was found to precede other forms <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> drug use. Polydrug use also is<br />
a comm<strong>on</strong> feature am<strong>on</strong>g inhalant users in some countries (e.g., the<br />
Philippines and New Zealand).<br />
In summary, evidence from the various countries in the regi<strong>on</strong> shows that<br />
inhalant abuse typically begins in late childhood and early adolescence.<br />
In a majority <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> cases, use is experimental and short lived. Heavy<br />
patterns <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> abuse are found am<strong>on</strong>g a minority <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> cases. Glue c<strong>on</strong>taining<br />
toluene is the most comm<strong>on</strong> inhalant abused in most <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the countries.<br />
There is a wide range <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> other volatile substances that are used, including<br />
gasoline, thinner, adhesive, and varnish.<br />
Social and Health C<strong>on</strong>sequences <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Inhalant</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Abuse</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Only five <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the nine countries examined here have some informati<strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>on</strong> adverse health c<strong>on</strong>sequences <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> inhalant abuse. There have been<br />
numerous deaths attributed to inhalant toxicity during the last 15 to 20<br />
years. Some <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the substances involved in these deaths include gasoline,<br />
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