Am J Psychiatry 1987; 144:903-907
Copyright © 1987 by American Psychiatric Association
The psychiatrist and solvent-inhalant abuse: recognition, assessment, and treatment
J Westermeyer
Solvent-inhalant abuse, existent for a century, has been gradually
increasing in several sectors of our society over the last few decades.
This form of substance abuse involves a variety of pharmacological agents
as well as several target groups at risk. A key strategy for effective
intervention is early recognition in clinical as well as other settings.
Psychiatrists should appreciate the clinical manifestations of these
substances because they often appear in psychiatric settings. Assessment
and treatment of the solvent-inhalant abuser must take into account the
special pharmacological, demographic, and ecological factors associated
with this particular form of substance abuse.
