Abstract
Inhalant abuse is a problem that is getting more common all around the world. The increase in prevalence of inhalant abuse escalates morbidity and mortality rates. About 22% of people using inhalant have died at their first attempt. Particularly propane, butane, or propane-butane mixture has highest mortality rates. Sudden sniffing death syndrome, cardiomyopathy, central nervous system toxicity, hematological abnormalities, kidney toxicity, and hepatocellular toxicities are the major complications of inhalant abuse. Herein we present a patient with inhalant use disorder. At the age of 19, after a stressful life event he had unsuccessfully tried to suicide by inhaling LPG (liquefied petroleum gas, a mixture of butane and propane gases). After he realized that he had hallucinations and felt better during the inhalation, he started to abuse it. He was addicted to LPG for 10 years at the time of admission. Besides being dangerous for the society security, this intense level of LPG inhalation (12 liters a day) not giving any physical harm makes this case interesting.
Highlights
Inhalant abuse has been reported from most of the world, mainly among adolescents
McGarvey et al [2] have classified abused inhalants, which are used for various purposes, into different subgroups: (1) medical anesthetic gases: nitrous oxide, helium, and oxygen; (2) industrial/household solvents: bleach, glue, hair dye, nail polish, nail polish remover, paint, paint thinner, and shoe polish; (3) art/office solvents: permanent markers, correction fluids; (4) gases used in nonmedical products: gasoline, propane, kerosene, butane, lighter fluid, antifreeze, and freon; (5) household aerosol propellants: hair spray, spray paint, deodorant, and air freshener; (6) aliphatic nitrites: asthma inhalers
In the psychiatric examination of the patient, insomnia, depressive mood, anxiety, unsuccessful efforts to cut down inhalant use, continued inhalant use despite harmful consequences, craving for inhalant, breakdown in his interpersonal communication, using inhalant even in dangerous conditions, occupational problems because of inhalant use, and tolerance to inhalant were observed
Summary
Inhalant abuse has been reported from most of the world, mainly among adolescents. Inhalants are preferred because these substances are easy to access and cheap to purchase and have rapid effects [1]. It has been reported that the most commonly abused inhalants in Turkey are paint thinners and adhesives [3]. LPG is colorless and odorless and it is prepared by refining petroleum or natural gas. It is a mixture of butane and propane gases (approximate ratio is 70 : 30 by mass in Turkey) and can be stored in 12-liter cylinder tanks. We present a case of a 31-year-old man who tried to commit suicide by sniffing LPG ten years ago.
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