Solvent Abuse: A Population-Based Neuropsychological Study / Edition 1

by Oliver Chadwick, H. Ross Anderson, J. Martin Bland, John Ramsey

Overview

1. 1 History of Solvent Abuse The practice of deliberately inhaling various gases or vapors in order to induce an altered state of mood or sensibility is not new. As noted repeatedly in other reviews (eg, Cohen, 1973; Novak, 1980), it was recognized in early Greek civilization as an adjunct to divination; indeed, it has now become customary, if not obligatory, to refer to the Oracle at Delphi before considering the more recent history of the subject. According to legend, the priestess at the Temple at Delphi would achieve communion with the Gods by inhaling the naturally-occurring gas that emanated from a fissure in a rock. Inhalation would induce a trance-like state. Her mystical observations and utterances while in this state were interpreted by the Temple Prophet and issued as divine pronouncements to those seeking guidance. Incenses, perfumes and spices have probably always been used in ceremonial worship and religious ritual. However, in sofar as it is possible to make the distinction, these substances have been used primarily for their aromatic qualities rather than for their intoxicating effects. The recreational use of gases and vapors dates from the end of the eighteenth century and may be seen as a concomitant of the scientific advances that preceded the industrial revolution. Following the synthesis of nitrous oxide by Sir Joseph Priestley in 1776, the potential uses of the gas were explored in depth by Sir Humphrey Davy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780387976075
Publisher:	Springer New York
Publication date:	10/22/1991
Series:	Recent Research in Psychology
Edition description:	1991
Pages:	150
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.01(d)

Table of Contents

1 Introduction.- 1.1 History of Solvent Abuse.- 1.2 The Abused Substances.- 1.3 Neurological and Neuropsychological Consequences of Abuse.- 1.4 Additional Issues to Be Adressed in the Study.- 1.5 Rationale of the Design of the Present Investigation.- 2 Method.- 2.1 Summary.- 2.2 The Target Population.- 2.3 Parental Permission and Absentees.- 2.4 The Screening Questionnaire.- 2.5 The Individual Assessments.- 2.6 Information Obtained from the Schools.- 2.7 Definition and Composition of the Case and Control Groups.- 2.8 The Follow-up Assessment.- 2.9 Statistical Methods.- 3 Results.- 3.1 Epidemiological Aspects of Solvent Abuse.- 3.2 Comparison Between the Questionnaire, Interview and Toxicological Findings.- 3.3 The History and Pattern of Solvent Abuse in Cases Confirmed at Interview.- 3.4 Background Characteristics of the Solvent Abusers.- 3.5 Psychological Test Results.- 3.6 Educational Test Results Antecedent to Solvent Abuse.- 3.7 Follow-up.- 4 Discussion.- 4.1 Epidemiological Aspects of Solvent Abuse.- 4.2 The Practice of Solvent Abuse.- 4.3 Characteristics of Children Who Abused Solvents.- 4.4 Neuropsychological Consequences of Solvent Abuse.- 5 Summary of Main Findings.- Appendix A: Self-completed Screening Questionnaire.- Appendix B: Psychological Test Battery (Initial Assessment).- Appendix C: Psychological Test Introduced for Follow-up Assessment.- References.- Tables.- Figures.

Editorial Reviews

Reports on a study of 4,000 elementary school students in London, and concludes that sniffing glue, typewriter correction fluid, or other popular volatile substances, seems to have no physical, neurological, or psychological effect. No index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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