I am looking for widely used/validated self-report measures of substance use (both alcohol and drug use) to use for an upcoming project examining the structure of externalizing psychopathology. I already am planning to use the AUDIT and SMAST to assess alcohol use and already have a measure of drug use called the Drug Use Survey that I am planning to use.
However, I would like to include another 2-3 drug- and alcohol-related measures as well. I would prefer to use dimensional (rather than categorical) assessment measures if possible, and would like at least 1-2 of these other measures to assess substance use other than alcohol (so other illicit substances).
Thank you for your help!
I would recommend considering quality of life scales as well. http://www.hqlo.com/content/10/1/31
Dear Dr. Frone,
Thank you very much for your helpful and thorough answers! That definitely will give me a good place to start and some helpful things to think about. Very helpful points about considering context and administration instructions in particular. I will be sure to check out the materials in both of the links you provided.
Kasey
Dear Dr. Brown,
Thank you for your response as well! I will check out the information at the link provided.
Kasey
Hi.
If you want to get an idea of substance use problems within those who report frequent/heavy use, the Severity of Dependence Scale is being validated for an increasing number of drugs (I use it for opiate use but I know it's also been used for cannabis and cocaine). It provides a numeric "score" of problematic use, a bit like the AUDIT.
Best wishes,
Lindsey
Dear Dr. Hines,
Thank you for the helpful suggestion! I appreciate it.
Kasey
I would suggest DUDIT, the "twin" of AUDIT. See Berman AH, Bergman H, Palmstierna T, Schlyter F: Evaluation of the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) in criminal justice and detoxification settings and in a Swedish population sample. Eur Addict Res 2005, 11(1):22-31
Hi Dr. Nehlin,
Thank you for your recommendation. I actually came across the DUDIT and am planning to include it in our battery!
Kasey
This requires time and training, but using the TLFB (Time-line Follow-Back) is a very thorough assessment tool for substance use info (Quantity/Frequency) with a lot of research support.
Yes the DUDIT Works fine, 11 questions.
- http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/attachements.cfm/att_10455_EN_DUDIT.pdf
- http://www.paihdelinkki.fi/sites/default/files/duditmanual.pdf
One problem if you have a mixed population (both alcohol and drug use disorders), some will score high on one and some the other, and it's not recommended just to sum them. If you have a small sample you may need just ONE variable for substance use. If you have a typical abuse/dependence population, you may try a severity measure rather than a substance use measure. I've somtimes included 5 question from the severity subscale of the SYRAAP. Then you get ONE measure to include in Your analyses
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/11/339
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