Application of the Relapse Risk Scale to alcohol-dependent individuals in Japan: comparison with stimulant abusers.
OBJECTIVE
To develop and validate the Alcohol Relapse Risk Scale (ARRS) for Japanese alcohol-dependent individuals and to compare the features of relapse risk for alcohol-dependent individuals with those for stimulant abusers.


METHODS
The ARRS is a multidimensional self-rating scale consisting of 32 items based on the Stimulant Relapse Risk Scale (SRRS). Two hundred eighteen inpatients and outpatients with a history of alcohol dependence (181 males and 36 females) were recruited, provided informed consent, and were administered the ARRS. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for alcohol craving, current state of drinking, and data on relapse within 1 month after the rating were used for validation.


RESULTS
Exploratory factor analysis highlighted five factors: stimulus-induced vulnerability (SV), emotionality problems (EP), compulsivity for alcohol (CA), lack of negative expectancy for alcohol (NE), and positive expectancy for alcohol (PE). Cronbach's alpha coefficient for each of the subscales ranged from .55 to .90 and was .90 for the total ARRS, indicating their adequate internal consistency. SV, EP, CA, PE, and total ARRS were significantly correlated with the VAS and current drinking state, supporting their concurrent validity. SV and total ARRS were significantly correlated with relapse, suggesting that the ARRS is useful for predicting relapse risk in alcohol-dependent individuals, similar to the SRRS for stimulant abusers. Compared with stimulant abusers, alcohol-dependent individuals tended to express their desires related to relapse more honestly on the scales.


CONCLUSIONS
The ARRS has multidimensional psychometric properties that are useful for assessing the various aspects of alcohol relapse risk.
Ogai
Yasukazu
Y
Tokyo Institute of Psychiatry, 2-1-8 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8585, Japan.
Yamashita
Masahiro
M
Endo
Keiko
K
Haraguchi
Ayako
A
Ishibashi
Yoko
Y
Kurokawa
Tatsuya
T
Muratake
Tatsuyuki
T
Suga
Ryoichi
R
Hori
Toru
T
Umeno
Mitsuru
M
Asukai
Nozomu
N
Senoo
Eiichi
E
Ikeda
Kazutaka
K
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D012008:Recurrence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants