The psychiatrist and solvent-inhalant abuse: recognition, assessment, and treatment.

Solvent-inhalant abuse, existent for a century, has been gradually increasing in several sectors of our society over the last few decades. This form of substance abuse involves a variety of pharmacological agents as well as several target groups at risk. A key strategy for effective intervention is early recognition in clinical as well as other settings. Psychiatrists should appreciate the clinical manifestations of these substances because they often appear in psychiatric settings. Assessment and treatment of the solvent-inhalant abuser must take into account the special pharmacological, demographic, and ecological factors associated with this particular form of substance abuse.