Depression in solvent abusers

Previous studies mention that some solvent abusers have a depressed mood. This study sets out to determine in a formal way whether solvent abusers are more depressed than a comparison group of non-solvent abusers. Forty-seven consecutive admissions (all with delinquent histories) to the secure unit of a regional assessment centre for adolescent boys, who fulfilled certain criteria, were assessed. They completed the General Health 28 item questionnaire (GHQ-28) and the Great Ormond Street (GOS) mood questionnaire. Thereafter, they were administered a semi-structured interview covering the following areas—solvent abuse data, educational data, demographic and family data, criminal history and other drug use data. Results showed that significantly more solvent abusers were depressed than non-solvent abusers as defined by GOS-mood scores of 25 or more ( P < 0.05). Also, mean GHQ-28 total scores ( P < 0.02), GHQ-28 depression subscale scores ( P < 0.02), and GOS-mood scores ( P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the solvent abuse group. In conclusion, solvent abusers are more depressed than a comparison non-solvent abusing group.