Indicator Purpose

The aim is to record how effective treatment services are for substance users (e.g., alcohol, drugs).

Indicator Analysis

The EuropASI Follow-up (EASIF) is a tool adapted from the American ASI and EuropASI, used by the research team for the program “Evaluation of KETHEA Services.” The American ASI was developed in 1980 by McLellan et al., and the adaptation was made in 1990 by Foreman and his collaborators. The study was conducted on a sample of individuals who had been admitted to treatment units five years prior to its implementation. Its use reflects the impact that substance and alcohol use has had on various aspects of the users’ lives, such as their health status, relationship with the law, as well as the family, social, and psychological contexts in which they operate. The ASI tool, EuropASI, and the Spanish version of the ASI appear to yield more adequate results. The European version of the ASI consists of 9 CS scales.

Indicator Scoring and Statistical Analysis

Scoring considers the evaluation of the respondent, the researcher, and the overall severity profile. Interview Severity Rating (ISR) can be used, factoring in various critical elements scored from 0 to 9, with higher scores indicating more severe dependence. Due to the subjective nature of the assessment, which poses a problem in the research field, a two-step study is preferred to increase the reliability of the ISR.

Indicator Validity and Reliability

The reliability of the questionnaire is high, as shown by checks on individuals dependent on alcohol (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.91) as well as those dependent on substances (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.91).

References

Dermengiu, D., Sorin, H., Radu, D., Aciu, F., Astarastoae, V., Ioan, B., … & Curca, G. C. (2014). Substance abuse in Romania. A clinical medical-legal perspective. A New Era. Provide Quality Patient Care, 7.
Fureman, B., Parikh, G., Bragg, A., & McLellan, A. T. (1990). Addiction severity index. A guide to training and supervising ASI interviews.
López-Goñi, J. J., Fernández-Montalvo, J., & Arteaga, A. (2012). Predictive validity of the EuropASI: Clinical diagnosis or composite scoring?. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 42(4), 392-399.
McLellan, A. T., Luborsky, L., O’Brien, C. P., & Woody, G. E. (1980). An improved evaluation instrument for substance abuse patients: The Addiction Severity Index. Problems Of Drug Dependence, 142.