The aims of this study were to develop and evaluate an assessment procedure and to use this instrument to gather descriptive data on solvent abuse in New Zealand. The Solvent Abuse Questionnaire (SAQ) was devised to identify type of solvent abuse. Its psychometric properties were established using samples of 41 solvent abusers and 15 non-abusers. Findings suggest that the SAQ has potential to accurately discriminate different types of solvent abuser and thus to serve as a guide to appropriate treatment. Descriptive data obtained from subjects ' responses to the questionnaire suggests that the solvent abusing sample shared many characteristics with solvent abusers described in previous research on solvent abuse, both overseas and in New Zealand. Furthermore, the solvent abusing subjects appeared different to the non-abusing subjects, reporting more feelings of depression and self-dislike, and more potential side-effects of solvent abuse (i.e. impaired concentration, frequent nasal discharge, nose-bleeds).