Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2009 Dec;41(4):337-47.
doi: 10.1080/02791072.2009.10399771.

Nitrous oxide inhalation among adolescents: prevalence, correlates, and co-occurrence with volatile solvent inhalation

Eric L Garland  1 , Matthew O Howard, Brian E Perron
Affiliations

Nitrous oxide inhalation among adolescents: prevalence, correlates, and co-occurrence with volatile solvent inhalation

Eric L Garland et al. J Psychoactive Drugs. 2009 Dec.

Abstract

Few studies have examined the prevalence of nitrous oxide (NO) inhalation or co-occurrence of NO and volatile solvent (VS) use in adolescents. Study aims were to (1) describe the independent and conjoint prevalence of NO and VS use in incarcerated youth, (2) compare adolescent users of both NO and VS inhalants (NO+VS) to users of NO-only, VS-only, and nonusers of NO and VS (NO/VNS nonusers) with regard to demographic, psychological, and behavioral characteristics, and (3) conduct logistic regression analyses identifying correlates of NO use. Residents (N = 723) of Missouri Division of Youth Services were assessed with standardized psychosocial measures. Participants averaged 15.5 (SD = 1.2) years of age, were ethnically diverse and predominantly male. Lifetime prevalence of NO use was 15.8%. NO+VS users evidenced greater impairments compared to NO+VS nonusers. VS-only users evidenced impairments that were similar in kind but at lower prevalences compared to those displayed by NO+VS users, whereas NO-only youth had profiles that were similar to those of NO/VS nonusers. Psychiatric disorders, polydrug use, and temperamental fearlessness were correlates of NO use. NO+VS users were at high risk for behavioral and emotional problems. Screening and interventions for NO and VS inhalant use should be implemented in juvenile justice facilities.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. American Psychiatric Association (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition-Text Revision. Washington, D.C.: APA; 2000.
    1. Baker TB, Piper ME, McCarthy DE, Majeskie MR, Fiore MC. Addiction motivation reformulated: An affective processing model of negative reinforcement. Psychological Review. 2004;111(1):33–51. - PubMed
    1. Beckman NJ, Zacny JP, Walker DJ. Within-subject comparison of the subjective and psychomotor effects of a gaseous anesthetic and two volatile anesthetics in healthy volunteers. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2006;81(1):89–95. - PubMed
    1. Blanton A. Nitrous oxide abuse: Dentistry's unique addiction. Journal of the Tennessee Dental Association. 2006;86(4):30–31. - PubMed
    1. Brodsky L, Zuniga J. Nitrous oxide: A psychotogenic agent. Comprehensive Psychiatry. 1975;16(2):185–88. - PubMed

Publication types