Validity and reliability study of the Turkish version of the Addiction Severity Index

The increasing prevalence of alcohol and substance use disorders (ASUD) worldwide has raised the demand for more efficient treatment and monitoring. Comprehensive assessment tools are crucial for evaluating substance use, as well as medical, legal, and psychosocial aspects to provide holistic care. The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) is a commonly used tool to assess these dimensions. The purpose of this research is to validate the ASI-Treatnet version in a sample from Turkiye.

The research was carried out at AMATEM clinics in Istanbul and Antalya, involving 141 patients who had been diagnosed with ASUD based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria. The ASI was translated into Turkish, and its reliability and validity were assessed through a methodology that included testing for test-retest and interrater reliability using Spearman-Brown correlation coefficients.

The results indicated high reliability for all subscales. Internal consistency was assessed through Cronbach's alpha, resulting in an acceptable value of 0.82. Concurrent validity was established by examining the correlations with the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test, the Drug Abuse Screening Test, and the Beck Depression Inventory, all of which demonstrated significant correlations with the ASI subscales.

The study revealed that the Turkish adaptation of the ASI is a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating ASUD. Its strong correlations with established screening tools confirm its concurrent validity. The ASI's multidimensional approach allows for a comprehensive assessment, facilitating individualized treatment planning and monitoring. Future research could explore expanded and online-adapted versions of the ASI to enhance its practicality.