THE FUNCTIONING AND WELL-BEING OF PERSONS WHO SEEK TREATMENT FOR DRUGAND ALCOHOL-USE

We assessed the reliability of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form H ealth Survey (SF-20) in a heterogeneous group of persons seeking drug and alcohol treatment. Patients (n = 2688) seeking detoxification and treatment at four intake sites for Addiction Treatment in Boston, Mass achusetts, received all components of the SF-20 including physical, ro le, and social functioning; mental health; health perception and bodil y pain. The primary drugs used were alcohol 38%, cocaine 38%, heroin 2 4%. Reliability coefficients for the MOS scales ranged from 0.70 to 0. 92. Users of these three drugs had similar profiles among the health c omponents. Sociodemographic characteristics in combination explained 2 -7% of score variance. Alcohol and other drug use had little effect on physical or role function scores. Health perception and pain subscale scores were low. We conclude the MOS survey is a reliable measure of function and well being in this population. Like other chronic disease s, alcohol and drug use have powerful effects on quality of life.