THE ALCOHOL-USE SCALE - CONCURRENT VALIDITY DATA

While studies have indicated a high co-morbidity of substance abuse in peoplewith serious mental illness, valida,ld reliable rating scales t o rate and classify dual-diagnoses are lacking. Drake (Drake et al., 1 990) devised the Alcohol Use Scale for purposes of classifying co-occu rring addictions among the seriously mentally ill. Initial reliability and validity studies were promising, but further independent validati on is needed. The present study examined ratings by the same clinical observers for the Alcohol Use Scale (Drake er al., 1990) and the subst ance use questions of the Level of Care survey (Fabisink, Baskin, & Ha mmer, 1983). Concurrent validity was demonstrated and the implications for classifying dual-diagnoses are discussed.