A comparative evaluation of 162 inhalant users

All inhalant users seen in a country wide psychiatic emergency room during a 24 month period were interviewed by psychiatrists or psychologists, and information regarding symptoms, background, mental status and diagnosis was noted. Severity ratings were made for each of 87 variables and 162 inhalant users thus assessed. Appropriate emergency room control groups matched for age, sex, and ethnicity (one group of polydrug non-inhalant users and a second of non-drug users) brought the total N studied to 486. A series of statistical analyses resulted in a total 28 significant findings differentiating the I, P, and ND group, with most of these differentiating the I and P groups significantly as well. The inhalant group evidenced more self- and other-directed aggressive behavior, a wider range of cognitive deficits, and more extensive social disruption than the other two groups, Inhalant users, however, were not significantly different in emotional dyscontrol or intelligence. Significantly more diagnoses of personality disorders and drug dependency were recorded for inhalant users: their difficulties tended to be more long standing and disposition included hospitalization more frequently.