Abstract
A study of 114 male and female alcoholics was conducted to evaluate the validity of information obtained by means of self-report questionnaires. Factor analysis was used to derive composite measures of alcohol dependence, withdrawal symptomatology, pathological intoxication, and alcoholic psychosis. Validation was conducted by comparing these measures with independent and external criteria; that is, drinking estimates made by collateral informants, measures of general alcohol involvement, and drinking behavior 6 months after treatment.