Volatile inhalant dependência is a transtorno of regulation of volatile inhalant uso arising from repeated or continuous uso of volatile inhalants. The characteristic feature is a strong internal drive to uso volatile inhalants, which is manifested by impaired ability to control uso, increasing priority given to uso over other activities and persistence of uso despite harm or negative consequences. These experiences are often accompanied by a subjective sensation of urge or craving to uso volatile inhalants. Physiological features of dependência may also be present, including tolerance to the effects of volatile inhalants, abstinência symptoms following cessation or reduction in uso of volatile inhalants, or repeated uso of volatile inhalants or pharmacologically similar substances to prevent or alleviate abstinência symptoms. The features of dependência are usually evident over a period of at least 12 months but the diagnosis may be made if volatile inhalant uso is continuous (daily or almost daily) for at least 3 months.