Inhalant intoxication may be indicated by evidence of possession, or lingering odors, of in- halant substances (e.g., glue, paint thinner, gasoline, butane lighters); apparent intoxica- tion occurring in the age range with the highest prevalence of inhalant use (12—17 years); and apparent intoxication with negative results from the standard drug screens that usu- ally fail to identify inhalants.
The prevalence of actual episodes of inhalant intoxication in the general population is un- known, but it is probable that most inhalant users would at some time exhibit use that would meet criteria for inhalant intoxication disorder. Therefore, the prevalence of inhal- ant use and the prevalence of inhalant intoxication disorder are likely similar. In 2009 and 2010, inhalant use in the past year was reported by 0.8% of all Americans older than 12 years; the prevalence was highest in younger age groups (3.6% for individuals 12 to 17 years old, and 1.7% for individuals 18 to 25 years old).
Gender differences in the prevalence of inhalant intoxication in the general population are unknown. However, if it is assumed that most inhalant users eventually experience inhal- ant intoxication, gender differences in the prevalence of inhalant users likely approximate those in the proportions of males and females experiencing inhalant intoxication. Regard- ing gender differences in the prevalence of inhalant users in the United States, 1% of males older than 12 years and 0.7% of females older than 12 years have used inhalants in the pre- vious year, but in the younger age groups more females than males have used inhalants (e.g., among 12- to 17-year-olds, 3.6% of males and 4.2% of females).
Functional Consequences of Inhalant Intoxication
Use of inhaled substances in a Closed container, such as a plastic bag over the head, may lead to unconsciousness, anoxia, and death. Separately, ”sudden sniffing death,” likely from cardiac arrhythmia or arrest, may occur with various volatile inhalants. The en- hanced toxicity of certain volatile inhalants, such as butane or propane, also causes fatal- ities. Although inhalant intoxication itself is of short duration, it may produce persisting medical and neurological problems, especially if the intoxications are frequent.
Inhalant exposure, without meeting the criteria for inhalant intoxication disorder.
The individual intentionally or unintentionally inhaled substances, but the dose was in- sufficient for the diagnostic criteria for inhalant use disorder to be met.
stances, especially from sedating substances (e.g., alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbi- turates). These disorders may have similar signs and symptoms, but the intoxication is attributable to other intoxicants that may be identified via a toxicology screen. Differenti- ating the source of the intoxication may involve discerning evidence of inhalant exposure as described for inhalant use disorder. A diagnosis of inhalant intoxication may be sug- gested by possession, or lingering odors, of inhalant substances (e.g., glue, paint thinner, gasoline, butane lighters,); paraphernalia possession (e.g., rags or bags for concentrating the intoxicated individual possesses or uses inhalants; apparent intoxication despite neg- ative results on standard drug screens (which usually fail to identify inhalants); apparent intoxication occurring in that age range with the highest prevalence of inhalant use (12—17 years); association with others known to use inhalants; membership in certain small com- munities with prevalent inhalant use (e.g., some native or aboriginal communities, home- less street children and adolescents); or unusual access to certain inhalant substances.