title: A brief alternative for identifying alcohol use disorders.
abstract: This study sought to evaluate the clinical utility of a brief assessment interview in accurately classifying inmates manifesting an alcohol use disorder (AUD) based on a structured diagnostic assessment interview. Data were derived from routine clinical assessments of 7,672 inmates (89.6% male) incarcerated in the Minnesota Department of Corrections state prison system. An automated version of the Substance Use Disorder Diagnostic Schedule-IV (SUDDS-IV), which included a subset of the items comprising the Triage Assessment for Addictive Disorders (TAAD), was administered to all inmates from 2000 to 2003. Approximately 99% of the DSM-IV dependence and no diagnosis cases were appropriately classified by the TAAD. Although the TAAD identified nearly all cases with any diagnosis, 20%-24% of cases classified as abuse by the TAAD were found to be dependent by the longer instrument. Similar findings were noted when DSM-5 criteria were applied. The TAAD has the potential to provide a more clinically defensible means of identifying AUDs than brief screens when time constraints may preclude a comprehensive assessment. Limitations and implications for routine clinical practice are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, USA. sproct2@tigers.lsu.edu
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Proctor
authors.forename: Norman G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*