An evaluation of the inhalant related disorders in a university psychiatry clinic

Abstract

Objective: Although the exact prevalence of inhalant related disorders are generally unknown in Turkey, there are strong suggestions that it is increasing steadily. As being a major health problem, we wanted to evaluate the cha¬racteristics of patients with inhalant related disorders and the outcome of the treatments they received. Method: We evaluated 20 patients admitted consecutively to our hospital with inhalant misuse. Results: The results showed that almost every patient came from low socioeconomic status and had intact family structure that seemed to enable the¬ir admission to psychiatry. They were mainly worker adolescent boys with predominantly adhesive and thinner abu¬se. They were followed on an individual outpatient basis and the outcome mostly depended on patient characteris¬tics. Conclusion: A structured team work, and preferably a separate unit is needed for the treatment and follow up of these patients. On the other hand, there must be some interventions done for the patients who do not or could not admit to psychiatry, as they might be the majority of inhalant misusers.