[Validation study of the Multidimensional Alcohol Craving Scale (MACS)].
OBJECTIVE
Craving is a psychobiological phenomenon characteristic of addictive behaviours, which is difficult to assess due to its subjective nature and multidimensionality. The aim of this study was to validate a multidimensional alcohol craving scale (MACS) entirely developed in Spain.


METHODS
The validation of the MACS was based on an observational study, carried out in 452 alcohol-dependent patients treated with naltrexone. The scales used as standards were an Analogic Visual Scale (AVS) for alcohol craving and the Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS). Validity, reliability and sensitivity were studied for the validation process.


RESULTS
The factorial analysis (construct validity) showed that the scale had two factors: desire and behavioural disinhibition (lack of resistance). Their correlation values with the assessment scales were r = 0.56 and r = 0.50, respectively. The scale's internal consistency was alpha = 0.94. The correlation of the scores on the scale with the AVS oscillated between 0.56 and 0.46 (p < 0.01) throughout the course of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The MACS has good psychometric properties: it measures two craving factors --desire and behavioural disinhibition-- and may be considered as an accurate and precise instrument to use in both research studies and medical and psychological clinical practice.
Guardia Serecigni
José
J
Unidad de Conductas Adictivas, Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain. jguardia@hsp.santpau.es
Segura García
Lidia
L
Gonzalvo Cirac
Begoña
B
Trujols Albet
Joan
J
Tejero Pociello
Antonio
A
Suárez González
Ana
A
Martí Gil
Agustí
A
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone