Volatile substance misuse: toward a research agenda

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Addiction Research
• Psychopharmacology

Background:

• Volatile substance misuse (VSM) represents a significant global health challenge.
• Despite its prevalence, VSM remains substantially under-researched.
• There is a critical need for increased scientific inquiry into VSM.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight key research areas essential for advancing the understanding of VSM.
• To advocate for comprehensive studies on the health and social consequences of VSM.
• To propose a systematic research agenda for VSM.

Main Methods:

• The authors review existing VSM research to illustrate the necessity of further investigation.
• The perspective synthesizes findings from various VSM studies.
• Expert opinion and literature synthesis guide the proposed research directions.

Main Results:

• Significant gaps exist in the knowledge of VSM phenomenology and its acute and long-term consequences.
• There is a lack of research on VSM subtypes, cultural contexts, and treatment outcomes.
• Studies on specific inhalants and high-risk populations are needed.

Conclusions:

• Comprehensive research is vital to address the global health problem of VSM.
• A systematic research program is proposed to fill critical knowledge gaps.
• Further studies will aid in mitigating the adverse impacts of VSM.