[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.
Unidad de Conductas Adictivas, Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain. jguardia@hsp.santpau.es
José
J
Guardia Serecigni
Lidia
L
Segura García
Begoña
B
Gonzalvo Cirac
Joan
J
Trujols Albet
Antonio
A
Tejero Pociello
Ana
A
Suárez González
Agustí
A
Martí Gil
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