Certain epidemiologic factors are associated with the likelihood of a person abusing volatile inhalants. Unfortunately this is a form of abuse that is not limited to one group or age.
Epidemiologic Factor
Findings
age
typically 10 to 15 years of age, but may start as young as 7 years of age; it may persist in adults who lack social contacts or economic resources to obtain other drugs
gender
typically males, but females also involved
ethnic group
recent immigrants, indigenous peoples
socioeconomic status
impoverished
psychosocial problems
high levels of family dysfunction, juvenile delinquency
school performance
poor
availability of alternative agents of abuse
often use tends to be transient, with users progressing to alternative forms of intoxication; less often a person may become a regular or chronic user
group dynamics
often done as a group activity among peers
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