Usefulness and validity of the modified Addiction Severity Index: A focus on alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and gambling

ABSTRACT

Background: Individuals who seek treatment for an addictive disorder often exhibit comorbid substance use disorders and/or gambling disorder. The lack of a unique severity assessment instrument might be an obstacle for individuals to access integrated and comprehensive treatment. This paper aimed to examine the usefulness and validity of a modified version of the Addiction Severity Index (mASI) to assess all substance use disorders (including tobacco) and gambling. Methods: Participants (N = 833) were interviewed with the mASI and completed a validity battery questionnaire. The validity and the reliability of the mASI were examined. Results: The mASI was reliable, and its 9 assessed domains showed a relative independence, supporting its multidimensionality. Conclusions: The standardized properties of the mASI permit a comprehensive and systematic assessment of all addictive disorders independent of individuals' perceived problems and treatment settings, hence facilitating personalized treatment planning.

KEYWORDS:

• Addiction Severity Index
• modification
• reliability
• usefulness
• validity

Acknowledgments

The authors want to acknowledge the historical and seminal role of Jean Tignol (deceased) in the introduction of the ASI in France. Denis Grabot and Sarah Brisseau are warmly acknowledged for their crucial role in its initial implementation and development. Estelle Lavie is acknowledged for contributing to the initial steps of the mASI.

Initial presentation of the mASI and further validity data were presented at the College on Problems of Drug Dependence Annual Scientific meetings (2004, 2009, 2010).

Author contributions

Cécile Denis, Mélina Fatséas, Jean-Pierre Daulouède, and Marc Auriacombe have full access to all of the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Research conception and design: Marc Auriacombe, Cécile Denis. Collection of data: Cécile Denis, Virginie Beltran, Fuschia Serre, Jean-Marc Alexandre, Romain Debrabant. Analysis and interpretation of data: Cécile Denis, Mélina Fatséas, Marc Auriacombe. Writing and revision: Cécile Denis, Mélina Fatséas, Jean-Pierre Daulouède, Marc Auriacombe. All authors contributed to and have approved the final manuscript.

Funding

This study was funded by MILDT INSERM grant 2004 (Auriacombe), PHRC grant 2006 (Auriacombe), MILDT prime d'excellence 2010 (Auriacombe). The sponsors had no role in the study design, collection, analysis, or interpretation of the data, or in the writing of the manuscript.  Cécile Denis, Mélina Fatséas, Virginie Beltran, Fuschia Serre, Jean-Marc Alexandre, and Romain Debrabant have no disclosures to make. Marc Auriacombe and his institution report unrestricted grants and advisory board activities with RB Pharmaceutical, Mundipharma, D&A Pharma, Lundbeck and Ferrer International. Jean-Pierre Daulouède and his institution report unrestricted grants and advisory board activities with RB Pharmaceutical, Lundbeck. All the authors reported no conflict of interest.