The Addiction Severity Index - A field study of internal consistency and validity

This study investigated whether the use of the Addiction Severity Index (AS I) in a network of inner-city alcohol and drug abuse clinics under nonideal conditions would yield internally consistent and valid data. A sample of 8 ,984 ASI scores was collected over a 34-month period. Construct validity wa s examined by computing the internal consistency of all subscales. Converge nt and divergent validity of composite scores and of severity ratings were evaluated using correlation matrices. Findings demonstrated that ASI scores were internally consistent and valid, even though the recommended administ ration protocol may not always have been followed as faithfully as might be desirable. This robustness bodes well for the use of the ASI in on-line cl inical environments. Results should be viewed with caution until the reliab ility of ASI administration is tested under similar nonideal conditions and until permissible deviations from standard protocol can be quantified. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.