Features of inhalant use disorder include repe ated use of an inhalant substance despite the
individual’s knowing that the substance is causing serious problems for the individual
(Criterion A9). Those problems are re flected in the diagnostic criteria. 
Missing work or school or inability to perform typical responsibilities at work or school
(Criterion A5), and continued us e of the inhalant substance even though it causes arguments
with family or friends, fights, and other social  or interpersonal proble ms (Criterion A6), may
be seen in inhalant use disorder. Limiting family contact, work or school obligations, or rec-
reational activities (e.g., sports , games, hobbies) may also occu r (Criterion A7). Use of inhal-
ants when driving or operating dangerous equipment (Criterion A8) is also seen.
Tolerance (Criterion A10) and mild withdraw al are each reported by about 10% of in-
dividuals who use inhalants, and a few individuals use inhalants to avoid withdrawal.
However, because the withdrawal symptoms ar e mild, this manual neither recognizes a
diagnosis of inhalant withdrawal nor counts withdrawal complaints as a diagnostic crite-
rion for inhalant use disorder. 
Associated Features Supporting Diagnosis
A diagnosis of inhalant use disorder is suppo rted by recurring epis odes of intoxication
with negative results in standard drug screens (which do not detect inhalants); possession,
or lingering odors, of inhalant substances; peri-oral or peri-nasal “glue-sniffer’s rash”; as-
sociation with other individuals known to use inhalants; membership in groups with prev-
alent inhalant use (e.g., some native or abor iginal communities, ho meless children in street
gangs); easy access to certain inhalant substances; paraphernalia possession; presence of