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The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) is a multi-dimensional interview used to measure the substance use, health, and social problems of those with alcohol and other drug problems, both at admission to treatment and subsequently at follow-up contacts. This article first discusses the conceptual and practical importance of the ASI's multi-dimensional approach to measuring addiction severity, as illustrated by two case presentations. The second section of the paper reviews how this measurement approach has led to some important findings regarding the prediction and measurement of addiction treatment effectiveness. The third section describes the historical and practical considerations that have changed the instrument over time, details the problems with the instrument, and describes our efforts to correct those problems with the ASI-6. Finally, some recent ASI data collected from over 8,400 patients admitted to a nationally representative sample of U.S. addiction treatment programs are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes an inpatient treatment programme specifically designed for normal- weight bulimia nervosa patients who have a co-morbidity marked by alcohol and drug abuse, ’cutting’, repeated overdosing or stealing, or sexual disinhibition (multi- impulsive bulimia). The programme uses a rigorous ward regime and simple behavioural counselling, under the direction of a nurse-counsellor to bring control to the many addictive and self-damaging behaviours. The underlying emotional and personality issues are addressed by focal-interpretive (psychodynamic) and cognitive techniques in both group and individual sessions. Major use is made of creative therapies and reality-orientated therapies. General psychodynamic groups are mixed with focal groups using cognitive techniques. Patients respond well and the improvement in symptomatology is maintained during follow-up. Those patients who describe poor peer relationships in adolescence and who find engagement in psychotherapy difficult, do poorly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]