March 16, 2009 |
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In 2007, almost 1.0 million adolescents used inhalants in the past year; this represents 3.9 percent of adolescents, which was lower than the rate in 2003, 2004, and 2005 (4.5, 4.6, and 4.5 percent, respectively) (Figure 1). Past year dependence on or abuse of inhalants remained relatively stable between 2002 and 2007, with 0.4 percent of adolescents (around 99,000 persons) meeting the criteria for dependence or abuse in 2007.
Trend | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Past Year Use | 4.4% | 4.5%* | 4.6%* | 4.5%* | 4.4% | 3.9% |
Past Year Dependence or Abuse | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.5% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Source: 2002 to 2007 SAMHSA National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs). |
In 2007, 2.1 percent of adolescents who had not previously used inhalants began using them during the 12 months prior to the survey (Figure 2). This rate was lower than the rates of initiation for 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005.
Trend | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Past Year Initiation of Inhalants | 2.6%* | 2.6%* | 2.6%* | 2.6%* | 2.4% | 2.1% |
Source: 2002 to 2007 SAMHSA National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs). |
NSDUH also provides data on the first illicit drug initiated among past year initiates.2 In 2007, 17.2 percent of past year illicit drug initiates indicated that inhalants were the first drug that they used (Table 1). Marijuana was the first drug used by 56.3 percent of past year illicit drug initiates; nonmedically used prescription-type drugs were the first type of drug used by 23.5 percent of past year illicit drug initiates. These rates remained relatively stable between 2002 and 2007.
First Drug Initiated*** | 2002 (%) |
2003 (%) |
2004 (%) |
2005 (%) |
2006 (%) |
2007 (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Marijuana and Hashish | 59.9% | 57.6% | 57.3% | 55.0% | 57.1% | 56.3% |
Nonmedical Use of Prescription-Type Drugs | 22.2% | 20.4% | 21.3% | 22.0% | 22.0% | 23.5% |
Inhalants | 14.5% | 19.4% | 19.2% | 19.6% | 17.4% | 17.2% |
Hallucinogens | 2.9% | 2.3% | 2.1% | 2.5% | 3.0% | 2.3% |
Cocaine | 0.7% | 0.4% | 0.5% | 1.0% | 0.9% | 0.8% |
Source: 2002 to 2007 SAMHSA National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs). |
Among past year inhalant initiates, the percentage using most specific types of inhalants in 2007 did not differ significantly from the percentage in 2002 (Table 2); however, there were a few exceptions. Among past year inhalant initiates, use of nitrous oxide or "whippits" was lower in 2007 than in 2002 (16.3 vs. 31.6 percent), and use of aerosol spray other than spray paint3 was higher in 2007 than 2002 (25.0 vs. 12.6 percent).
Type of Inhalant | 2002 (%) |
2003 (%) |
2004 (%) |
2005 (%) |
2006 (%) |
2007 (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amyl Nitrite, "Poppers," Locker Room Odorizers, or "Rush" |
14.0% | 17.0% | 12.6% | 16.4% | 16.5% | 19.3% |
Correction Fluid, Degreaser, or Cleaning Fluid | 15.7% | 19.7% | 19.6% | 19.6% | 22.5% | 19.3% |
Gasoline or Lighter Fluid | 26.2% | 23.2% | 25.3% | 26.7% | 27.0% | 28.1% |
Glue, Shoe Polish, or Toluene | 32.9% | 30.2% | 27.6% | 31.3% | 25.6% | 28.8% |
Halothane, Ether, or Other Anesthetics | 2.9% | 2.9% | 4.5% | 3.4% | 4.5% | 5.7% |
Lacquer Thinner or Other Paint Solvents | 13.9% | 10.7% | 10.8% | 13.3% | 14.2% | 12.8% |
Lighter Gases, Such as Butane or Propane | 9.3% | 9.7% | 9.2% | 8.1% | 7.1% | 9.9% |
Nitrous Oxide or "Whippits" | 31.6% | 23.0% | 20.1% | 21.3% | 17.7% | 16.3% |
Spray Paints | 21.4% | 23.3% | 25.4% | 23.9% | 28.1% | 25.1% |
Aerosol Sprays Other than Spray Paints+ | 12.6% | 17.6% | 23.6% | 25.4% | 23.5% | 25.0% |
Source: 2002 to 2007 SAMHSA National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs). |
Although the rates of inhalant use and inhalant initiation appeared to be on a downward trend, particularly since 2005, the rates of dependence on or abuse of these substances remained stable between 2002 and 2007. Rates of use of specific types of inhalants among past year initiates generally did not differ significantly from 2002 to 2007, although a few types showed significant changes. Use of nitrous oxide or "whippits" decreased by half, and use of aerosol sprays other than spray paints doubled. Over the period from 2002 to 2007, 15 to 20 percent of past year illicit drug initiates indicated that inhalants were the first illicit drug they had used.
These findings highlight the ongoing need for prevention and treatment of inhalant use and abuse. Continuing efforts are needed among adolescents and their parents, other family members, teachers, service providers, and policymakers to increase awareness of the dangers of inhalant use. Awareness campaigns and prevention efforts may need targeted messages about the use of specific inhalants, such as aerosol air fresheners, aerosol sprays, and aerosol cleaning products.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is an annual survey sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The 2002 to 2007 data used in this report are based on information obtained from 136,449 persons aged 12 to 17. The survey collects data by administering questionnaires to a representative sample of the population through face-to-face interviews at their place of residence. The NSDUH Report is prepared by the Office of Applied Studies (OAS), SAMHSA, and by RTI International in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. (RTI International is a trade name of Research Triangle Institute.) Information on the most recent NSDUH is available in the following publication: Office of Applied Studies. (2008). Results from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National findings (DHHS Publication No. SMA 08-4343, NSDUH Series H-34). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Also available online: http://oas.samhsa.gov. |
The NSDUH Report is published periodically by the Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission from SAMHSA. Additional copies of this report or other reports from the Office of Applied Studies are available online: http://oas.samhsa.gov. Citation of the source is appreciated. For questions about this report, please e-mail: shortreports@samhsa.hhs.gov.
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This page was last updated on March 13, 2009. |
SAMHSA, an agency in the Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal Government's lead agency for improving the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment, and mental health services in the United States.
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