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Identifying alcoholism in treated opiate addicts
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|June 1, 1983
Summary
The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test effectively identifies current alcoholism in opiate addicts. However, it struggles to detect individuals with controlled drinking habits.
Area of Science:
- Addiction medicine
- Psychiatric diagnostics
Background:
- Alcoholism and opiate addiction frequently co-occur.
- Accurate screening tools are crucial for dual diagnosis patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic utility of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) in opiate-dependent individuals.
- To determine the sensitivity and specificity of MAST for current alcoholism in this population.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of the MAST's performance against established diagnostic criteria (Research Diagnostic Criteria for alcoholism).
- Study population comprised individuals diagnosed with opiate addiction.
Main Results:
- The MAST demonstrated adequate sensitivity and specificity for identifying active cases of alcoholism.
- The MAST was less effective in detecting alcoholism among opiate addicts who had their drinking under control.
Conclusions:
- The MAST is a useful tool for screening current alcohol use disorders in opiate addicts.
- Clinical judgment is necessary to identify alcohol use disorders in opiate addicts with currently controlled drinking patterns.