MEASUREMENT OF DRINKING BEHAVIOR USING THE FORM-90 FAMILY OF INSTRUMENTS

Although drinking behavior is clearly a central dependent variable in alcoholism treatment research, the field has reached no consensus on m easurement methodology for alcohol consumption. At least four methods for quantifying consumption have been commonly used in outcome studies : quantity-frequency questions, average consumption grids, timeline fo llow-back and self-monitoring. The Form 90 family of structured interv iews was developed by collaboration among the Project MATCH investigat ors, combining the strengths of prior assessment methodologies. The de velopment, structure, supporting software and training approaches for the Form 90 instruments are described.