Inhalant Use Disorder 537
the considerable expense of analyses make fr equent biological testing for inhalants them-
selves impractical.
Functional Consequences of  Inhalant Use Disorder 
Because of inherent toxicity, use of butane or  propane is not infrequently fatal. Moreover,
any inhaled volatile hydrocarbons may produc e “sudden sniffing death” from cardiac ar-
rhythmia. Fatalities may occur even on the first inhalant exposure and are not thought to
be dose-related. Volatile hydrocarbon use impairs neurobehavioral function and causes
various neurological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and pulmonary problems. 
Long-term inhalant users are at increased risk for tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, sexually
transmitted diseases, depression , anxiety, bronchitis, asthma , and sinusitis. Deaths may
occur from respiratory depression, arrhythmia s, asphyxiation, aspiration of vomitus, or
accident and injury.
Differential Diagnosis
Inhalant exposure (unintentional) from industrial or other accidents. This designation
is used when findings suggest repeated or continuous inhalant exposure but the involved
individual and other informants deny an y history of purposeful inhalant use.
Inhalant use (intentional), without meeting criteria for inhalant use disorder. Inhalant use
is common among adolescents, but for most of th ose individuals, the inhalant use does not
meet the diagnostic standard of two or more Criterion A items for i nhalant use disorder in
the past year.
Inhalant intoxication, without meeting criteria for inhalant use disorder. Inhalant intox-
ication occurs frequently duri ng inhalant use disorder but also may occur among individ-
uals whose use does not meet criteria for inha lant use disorder, which requires at least two
of the 10 diagnostic criteria in the past year.