Initial validation of a computer-administered addiction severity index: The ASI-MV

The Addiction Severity Index-Multimedia Version (ASI-MV) is a CD-ROM-based simulation of the interviewer-administered Addiction Severity Index (ASI). Clients in treatment (N = 202) self-administered the ASI-MV to examine the test-retest reliability, criterion validity, and convergent-discriminant va lidity of the ASI-MV. Excellent test-retest reliability was observed for co mposite scores and severity ratings. Criterion validity, tested against the interviewer-administered ASI, was good for the composite scores. For sever ity ratings, variable agreement was observed between the ASI-MV and each in terviewer, suggesting poor interrater reliability among interviewers. This conclusion was bolstered by a finding of superior convergent-discriminant v alidity for both composite scores and severity ratings compared to the stan dard ASI. The ASI-MV is a viable alternative to the expensive and potential ly unreliable interviewer-administered version.