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=Inhalant-Related Disorders=

Definition
"Inhalant-Related Disorders" are a heterogenous group of pyschiatric illnesses caused by the abuse of solvents, glues, paint, fuels, or other volatile substances.

Criteria for Inhalant-Related Disorder
The criteria for one to have an "inhalant-related disorder," according to the DSM-IV index, is: "(1) use in hazardous situations (hazardous use); (2) failure to fulfill major role obligations at work/school/home (neglect roles); (3) legal problems related to use (legal problems); and (4) social/interpersonal problems. According to DSM-IV, dependence criteria included: (1) tolerance; (2) using larger amounts for longer periods than intended (larger/longer); (3) persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control use (quit/control); (4) a great deal of time spent in activities to obtain use, or to recover from use (time spent); (5) giving up or reducing important social, occupational or recreational activities in favor of use (activities given up); and (6) continued use despite knowledge of a physical or psychological problem caused or exacerbated by use (physical/psychological problems)."

About Inhalant-Related Disorders
Inhalant use is the second most common form of drug use among American youth. The most common users are usually antisocial and engage in criminal activity. They can also experience many psychological problems, such as depression. The consequences of using inhalants are both physical and psychological. Also, inhalant use can be associated with different stressful life events, such as trauma, axiety, or personality disorders.

Inhalant use in schools has been rising over the years, and there has been a decline in the use of other drugs. Studies have shown that the younger the age of use alcohol and other drugs, the higher the lifetime use of inhalants. These users are also at very high risk of depression.

Common Practices and Types of Inhalants Used
"Huffing" has become more common recently, even though it was practiced in ancient times. Huffers commonly use household products such as: "spray paint (containing butane, lead, or propane), permanent markers, correction fluid (eg, Liquid Paper, Wite-Out), glue (containing toluene or ethyl acetate), lighter fluid (containing butane or isopropane), hairspray (containing butane or propane), propane, gasoline (containing lead), and kerosene."

The primary inhalant used among adults are "nitrite inhalants (poppers)." Some studies concerning men who have sex with other men correspond with nitrite inhalants and immunodeficieny viruses.

There are four different classifications of inhalants:

1. volatile solvents 2. aerosols

3. gases 4. nitrites

These groups vary according to there mechanism of action, according to the DSM-IV.

Punishment for Inhalant Use
Recently, laws have been created to try and prevent people from huffing or using harmful products. Enforcing these laws is not as easy as creating them. Inhalant use, just like any other drug use, is difficult to spot and correct.

Physical and Emotional Concerns
High-frequency users were more likely to act in violent ways than those who are low-frequency users. "While intoxicated on inhalants, nearly three times as many high-frequency users as low-frequency users reported committing acts of violence(50.6% to 13.7%, respectively) and vandalism(45.0% to 15.8%, respectively), and nearly two times as many high-frequency users as low-frequency users reported committing property crimes (53.1% to 18.9%, respectively) and driving a motor vehicle under the influence (49.4% to 23.2%, respectively)."

Major Health Concerns
The major organ damage consists of :

•Brain: "The tissue damage that occurs results in cell death after the chemicals in the inhalant dissolve the protective covering that surrounds the neurons (ie, myelin sheath). The cellular death can cause specific syndromes related to the cerebellum or peripheral nervous system or can cause changes to take place throughout the brain that result in memory impairment, personality changes, loss of coordination, speech impairment, learning disabilities, and hallucinations." Tremors can be seen in those who abuse inhalants for a long period. Inhalants also affect eyesight, causing double vision and other sight disorders. Seizures can occur from inhalant use. Toluene abuse may have significantly wider cerebellar and cerebral sulci and larger ventricular systems.

•Lungs: Repeated use is extremely harmful.

•Heart: irregular heartbeat and sudden sniffing death syndrome, which is heart failure resulting from an irregular heartbeat.

•Liver: can shut down, either temporarily or permanently, depending on length and extent of inhalant use.

•Kidney: Kidney stones and complete loss of kidney function

•Muscle: muscle weakness, muscle wasting, and reduced muscle tone and strength

•Bone marrow: damage bone marrow; the chemical benzene, which is found in gasoline, has been shown to cause leukemia.

•Peripheral nervous system: temporary numbness, permanent nerve damage, or permanent paralysis, depending on the frequency of abuse

•Hearing: deafness because of the inhalation of chemicals that destroy cells that relay sound to the brain

•Other medical effects: Other effects of inhalant abuse include respiratory problems, asphyxiation, aeration, and fetal damage similar to that observed in patients with fetal alcohol syndrome."

In addition, those who use inhalants for long periods of time could lose their ability to walk, talk, think, and become permanently disabled.

There can be "cardiac, renal, hepatic,and neurological mobidity and mortality." Impairment of the immune functions are always caused by use of inhalants.

Symptoms and Signs
The signs and symptoms of an inhalant-related disorder are:

1. Chemical smell or odor on breath or body

2. Redness, sores, or spots around the lips or mouth 3. Redness of eyes 4. Runny or red nose 5. Paint stains on clothing or body

6. Nausea or loss of appetite

7. Drunken or dazed appearance

8. Dizziness

9. Irritability, excitability, or anxiety

10. Slow verbal responses in conversation

11. Sudden behavior change 12. Sensitivity to light

13. Sore or irritated throat

14. Rashes or redness on hands

Treatment
The treatment for those who use inhalants can consist of (1) a medical team works vigrorously until the patient is clean, (2) hospitalization, and (3) counseling will be done to explain the dangers of inhalant use and evaluate psychiatric state.