Inhalant-related disorders

Unless otherwise indicated, the answers are from DSM-IV-TR, p 257-264 or American J on

Addictions, 10:79-94, 2001.As of 12Sep08.

Chemistry

Q. What are the chemical classification of these disorders?

Chemistry

Ans. Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.

Inhalants - NOS

Q. What inhalants are placed by DSM in the “NOS” category of substance-related disorder rather than “Inhalant-related disorders”?

Inhalants - NOS

Ans. Includes:

-- nitrous oxide

-- ether

-- amyl and butyl nitrates

Intoxication

Q. DSM requires 2 of 13 signs of intoxication. List as many of the 13 as you can.

Intoxication - 1

Ans.

1. Dizziness

2. Nystagmus

3. Incoordination

4. Slurred speech

5. Unsteady gait

6. lethargy

Intoxication - 2

7] depressed reflexes

8] psychomotor retardation

9] tremor

10] muscle weakness

11] blurred vision

12] stupor

13] euphoria

Withdrawal

Q. Status of “inhalant withdrawal” in DSM-IV-TR.

Withdrawal

Ans. DSM-IV authors decided that there was insufficient evidence for such a disorder.

Huffing

Q. What is “huffing”?

Huffing

Ans. Soaking a rage with an inhalant and applying it to the mouth and nose and inhaling the vapors.

Bagging

Q. What is “bagging”?

Bagging

Ans. Placing the inhalant in a bag and breathing the vapors from the bag.

Common substances

Q. Name some common substances that are inhaled relative to this disorder?

Common substances

Ans.

-- toluene

-- benzene

-- acetone

-- tetrachloroethylene

-- methanol

Found

Q. Inhalants are found in?

Found

Ans. The examiner’s questions are likely to include one of the following:

-- cleaners-- typewriter correction fluid-- spray-can propellants-- glue-- solvents-- gasoline-- paint thinners

Hippuric acid

Q. Hippuric acid in increased amounts in the urine suggests?

Hippuric acid

Ans. Pt has used toluene.

Neurological findings

Q. Speaking generally, chronic use of inhalants can lead to what neurological findings?

Neurological findings

Ans. Both peripheral and central nervous system damages are found.

Prevalence - gender

Q. Which gender predominates?

Prevalence - gender

Ans. ¾ men.

Treatment

Q. Treatment of inhalant-related disorders?

Treatment

Ans. There is no specific treatment, so examiner’s expectations, should this be asked in any way, is the more general approaches to abuse and dependence. “Public education” or “patient education” can be included in the answer.