Psychiatric correlates of chronic solvent abuse

Eleven chronic solvent abusers admitted for inpatient treatment were retrospectively identified and their records reviewed to determine associated medical and psychiatric illness and other substance abuse. Antisocial personality disorder and narcotics abuse were common in the group, as were symptoms suggesting neurological or gastrointestinal dysfunction. The patients' response to substance abuse treatment was poor. The findings indicate that persons who abuse solvents over a long period tend to have associated behavioral patterns that may contribute to poor social adjustment and to poor response to the treatment of their substance-abuse problems.