The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) is an assessment tool for a person’s alcohol and drug problems. Medical professionals can use the ASI to determine how serious your drug or alcohol use is as well as the possible causes of your alcohol or drug abuse.
The ASI can be a useful assessment instrument for doctors and addiction treatment providers. The ASI not only asks about your alcohol and drug use, but also about factors that can lead to ongoing drug or alcohol abuse.
Medical professionals use the ASI to create a personalized addiction treatment plan. When you enter a substance use disorder treatment program, you can answer the ASI accurately and honestly to improve your chances of getting effective care.
The Addiction Severity Index (ASI)
A medical professional asks you the questions on the ASI in a semi-structured interview. Your answers are collected and scored, where a higher score can indicate more severe drug and alcohol problems.
For some questions, you may be asked to rank your problem severity from 0 to 4.
An answer of 0 means you do not think the problem is severe, while an answer of 4 means you think the problem is very severe. You may be asked questions about your status over the past 30 days, and over your entire life.
While you have the right to refuse to answer uncomfortable or difficult questions, giving accurate answers can help your treatment provider create a plan that works for you.
Your interviewer may also write their own interviewer severity ratings, based on your confidence and reliability.
The 7 Problem Areas Of The ASI
The ASI has 7 problem areas, or potential factors in your substance use.
Medical Status
Questions about your medical status on the ASI may include:
- your medical history
- your history of hospitalizations
- any chronic medical problems you may have
- any prescription drugs you are taking
- If you have chronic medical problems, you may be asked to rank these problems on a scale of 0 to 4.
Employment/Support Status
Questions about your employment history and financial support may include your education, your history of employment, and the sources of your income. You may also be asked about work-related problems and how often you experience them.
Alcohol & Drug Use
The ASI can cover a wide range of substances in its questionnaire, including:
- opiates, such as fentanyl or heroin
- amphetamines
- cocaine
- barbiturates
- hallucinogens
- alcohol
- polysubstance abuse
Your interviewer may ask you about your method of use, your frequency of use, the amount of money you spend on alcohol or drugs, and how severe you think your alcohol or drug use is.
Legal Status
Drug and alcohol use can be risk factors for legal problems. The ASI can ask you questions about your legal history, your history of arrests or jail time, and any illegal activities you are or were involved in.
These questions may be confidential. If you answer yes to any of these questions, your interviewer may not report your answers to the authorities. Answering these questions honestly can help your interviewer understand your mental health and need for substance abuse treatment.
Family History
A family history of substance use can be a major risk factor for a substance use disorder. You may be asked about your immediate family’s history of problem drinking, drug abuse, and mental health problems.
Family/Social Relationships
Questions related to family and social status on the ASI may include:
- your marital status
- living with someone who has a drug or alcohol problem
- the quality of your relationships with friends and family
- your history of family problems and social problems
- your history of conflict and abuse, if applicable
- Your current and past relationships can be factors in your current substance use. People with stable relationships with loved ones and family can have a lower risk of substance abuse.
Psychiatric Status
Alcohol and drug addiction can co-occur with other mental health conditions often. The ASI may ask you about your mental health history, including your recent history of emotional problems, serious mental health issues, and mental health treatment.
The interviewer may also note your mood, comprehension, and reliability in this section, which can affect your overall score.
Addiction Treatment
The ASI can be an early step in getting the treatment you may need. Depending on your answers to the questions, you may be referred to inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment services. The ASI can also be given as a part of your ongoing treatment plan.
For an individualized addiction treatment approach that works for you and your loved ones, contact Northeast Addictions Treatment Center today. We can provide assessments to understand your specific needs in our comprehensive outpatient program.
Our and our sister facilities’ treatment options include detox programs, medication-assisted treatment, mental health care, and follow-up care.