1 Various approaches to the treatment of adolescents who have developed long-term chronic dependency on the inhalation of solvent fumes are briefly outlined with regard to their effectiveness.
2 The importance of suggestion in the counselling relationship is emphasized as a feature which underlies the work of therapists from a wide range of systems of psychotherapy.
3 A method of treatment incorporating hypnosis is described and evaluated with reference to case reports.
4 The indications are that hypnotherapy has distinct advantages over other methods of treatment in the economy of time and effort needed to treat patients effectively in comparison with other methods; in reducing the observable and reported stress levels for patients undergoing treatment; and in improving the overall effectiveness of the therapy as measured by improvements in the patient's condition, e.g. severely reducing or ceasing the inhalation of solvent vapours.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Anderson, H.R., Dick, B., Palmer, J.C. & Ramsey, J.D. (1982). Deaths associated with the abuse of volatile substances: An Investigation of 117 deaths in the United Kingdom, 1971-1981. Paper delivered to National Symposium at the Poisons Unit, Guy's Hospital. Human Toxicology, 1, 000-000
2.
Astor, M.H. (1973). Hypnosis and Behaviour Modification Combined with Psycho-Analytic Psycho-therapy. Int. J. Clin. Exp. Hypnosis.21-32.
3.
Barber, T.X., Spanos, H.P. & Chaves, J.F. (1974). Hypnosis Imagination and Human Potential. New York: Pergamon Press
4.
Burrows, G.D. & Dennerstein, C. (1980). Editors of Handbook of Hypnosis and Psychosomatic Medicine. North Holland: Elsevier, Oxford: Biomedical Press
5.
Hartland, J. (1971). Medical and Dental Hyponosis and its Clinical Applications 2nd Ed. London: Ballière- Tindal
6.
King, M. (1982). Neurological Sequelae of Toluene Abuse. Paper delivered to National Symposium at the Poison's Unit, Guy's Hospital. Human Toxicology, 1, this issue.
