Psychological Disorders: Inhalant Dependence American
Description
Greater
use of inhalant than intended: Unsuccessful
efforts to cut down or control inhalant use: Inhalant
caused reduction in social, occupational or recreational activities:
Continued
using inhalant despite knowing it caused significant problems: European
Description Diagnostic
Guidelines (a) a strong desire or sense of compulsion to take volatile solvents; (b) difficulties in controlling volatile solvent-taking behaviour in terms of its onset, termination, or levels of use; (c) a physiological withdrawal state when volatile solvents use has ceased or been reduced, as evidenced by: the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for volatile solvents; or use of the same (or a closely related) substance with the intention of relieving or avoiding withdrawal symptoms; (d) evidence of tolerance, such that increased doses of volatile solvents are required in order to achieve effects originally produced by lower doses; (e) progressive neglect of alternative pleasures or interests because of volatile solvents use, increased amount of time necessary to obtain or take the substance or to recover from its effects; (f) persisting with volatile solvents use despite clear evidence of overtly harmful consequences, such as depressive mood states consequent to periods of heavy substance use, or drug-related impairment of cognitive functioning; efforts should be made to determine that the user was actually, or could be expected to be, aware of the nature and extent of the harm. Narrowing of the personal repertoire of patterns of volatile solvents use has also been described as a characteristic feature. It is an essential characteristic of the dependence syndrome that either volatile solvents taking or a desire to take volatile solvents should be present; the subjective awareness of compulsion to use drugs is most commonly seen during attempts to stop or control substance use. |