The Addition Severity Index (ASI) is reliable and valid; it is the most widely used measure of addiction severity, both in research and clinical settings as an outcome measure. It is now mandated in some governmental jurisdictions and may become a standard assessment for chemical dependency. The major drawback of the ASI is its interview format, which requires an hour with a trained interviewer. The expense of standardized interviews creates a financial burden on researchers and clinicians, alike. This incumbrance suggests the need to explore methods for maintaining reliable, standardized assessments with fewer personnel costs. The Principal Investigator in this application proposes using interactive, multimedia technology, including newly developed speech recognition technology, to administer the ASI to urban substance abusers (aged 25-34 years). He and his associates have completed Phase I successfully. In Phase II they will complete the final production of the CD-ROM program and evaluate the (1) test-retest reliability, (2) criterion validity, and (3) discriminant validity of the program. Also, they will examine the utility of computer speech recognition technology for clinical assessment. The final product will be marketed to CMHCs, substance abuse treatment centers, managed behavioral healthcare companies, and researchers in the substance abuse field.

Proposed Commercial Applications

NOT AVAILABLE

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
5R44DA009938-03
Application #
2770116
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG5-ARRF (01))
Program Officer
Hilton, Thomas
Project Start
1995-07-01
Project End
2000-12-31
Budget Start
1998-09-01
Budget End
2000-12-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Inflexxion, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Newton
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02464
Butler, Stephen F; Villapiano, Albert; Malinow, Andrew (2009) The Effect of Computer-Mediated Administration on Self-Disclosure of Problems on the Addiction Severity Index. J Addict Med 3:194-203
Butler, S F; Budman, S H; Goldman, R J et al. (2001) Initial validation of a computer-administered Addiction Severity Index: the ASI-MV. Psychol Addict Behav 15:4-12