Disorders relating to the use of volatile substances

Volatile substance abuse (VSA)—also known as ‘solvent abuse’ and ‘inhalant abuse’—is the deliberate inhalation of any of a range of products (see Table 4.2.3.6.1), to achieve intoxication. Amyl (pentyl) and isobutyl nitrites (‘poppers’) have different patterns of misuse, and are not discussed here. VSA has dose-related effects similar to those of other hypnosedatives. Small doses rapidly lead to ‘drunken’ behaviour similar to the effects of alcohol, and may induce delusions and hallucinations. Some heavy misusers inhale large quantities; 6 l of adhesive weekly have been reported. Long-term effects include listlessness, anorexia, and moodiness. The hair, breath, and clothing may smell of the substance(s) used, and empty product containers (e.g. glue cans, cigarette lighter refills, and aerosol spray cans), and bags used to inhale from, may be found. Being readily available, volatile substances are, along with alcohol and tobacco, the first intoxicating substances some children try. However, most VSA is experimental and does not lead to the use of other psychoactive substances; problematic misusers have other difficulties in their lives.

On the Askey-Wilson and Rogers Polynomials

The q-shifted factorial (a)n or (a; q)n isand an empty product is interpreted as 1. Recently, Askey and Wilson [6] introduced the polynomials1.1where1.2and1.3We shall refer to these polynomials as the Askey-Wilson polynomials or the orthogonal 4ϕ3 polynomials. They generalize the 6 — j symbols and are the most general classical orthogonal polynomials, [2].