Using the MMPI-2 to detect substance abuse in an outpatient mental health setting

This study examined the utility of the MMPI-2 in detecting substance-abuse problems in an outpatient mental health setting. Specifically, the utility of the Addiction Acknowledgment Scale (AAS; N. C. Weed, J. N. Butcher, T. M cKenna, & Y. S. Ben-Porath, 1992), the Addiction Potential Scale (APS; N. C . Weed et al., 1992), and the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale-Revised (MAC-R: J. N. Butcher, W. G. Dahlstrom, J. R. Graham, A. Tellegan, Br B. Kaemmer, 198 9) in the prediction of substance abuse was evaluated. In addition, the inc remental validity of the AAS and the APS in comparison to the MAC-R scale w as evaluated. The sample consisted of 500 women and 333 men from a large co mmunity mental health center in Northeastern Ohio. Results indicated that t he MAC-R scale, the AAS, and the APS were related to interviewer ratings of substance abuse in this outpatient treatment setting. Specifically. the re sults pointed to the superiority of ABS over APS in substance-abuse identif ication and the significant contribution of AAS to the information availabl e from the MAC-R scale alone.