Measuring addiction propensity and severity: The need for a new instrument☆

Abstract

Drug addiction research requires but lacks a valid and reliable way to measure both the risk (propensity) to develop addiction and the severity of manifest addiction. This paper argues for a new measurement approach and instrument to quantify propensity to and severity of addiction, based on the testable assumption that these constructs can be mapped onto the same dimension of liability to addiction. The case for this new direction becomes clear from a critical review of empirical data and the current instrumentation. The many assessment instruments in use today have proven utility, reliability, and validity, but they are of limited use for evaluating individual differences in propensity and severity. The conceptual and methodological shortcomings of instruments currently used in research and clinical practice can be overcome through the use of new technologies to develop a reliable, valid, and standardized assessment instrument(s) to measure and distinguish individual variations in expression of the underlying latent trait(s) that comprises propensity to and severity of drug addiction. Such instrumentation would enhance our capacity for drug addiction research on linkages and interactions among familial, genetic, psychosocial, and neurobiological factors associated with variations in propensity and severity. It would lead to new opportunities in substance abuse prevention, treatment, and services research, as well as in interventions and implementation science for drug addiction.

Risk and resistance perspectives in translation-oriented etiology research

“…Addiction to illicit drugs and alcohol is strongly associated with behavior dysregulation (disinhibition) and antisociality. These associations and other commonalities between the liabilities to drug-specific SUDs suggest common sources of variation, termed general/common liability to addiction, GLA [32,35,36]. High phenotypic and genetic correlations between substancespecific addiction liabilities, as well as correlations of those liabilities with externalizing/antisocial characteristics [37], point to the mechanisms of behavior regulation and socialization as possible sources of commonalities.…”

Factores Determinantes para as Necessidades em Saúde das Pessoas Consumidoras de Drogas: Uma Revisão Bibliográfica

“…Depois percebeu-se que esta era uma visão limitada do tratamento e que só levando em conta os aspectos psicológicos, a integração familiar, social e laboral podia-se contribuir para uma abstinência mais sólida (Patrício, 2002;Ashton, 2004;Rodrigues, 2006). A classificação como doença crónica e suas implicações são sustentadas em estudos longitudinais que demonstram a natureza crónica e de recaídas e necessidade de tratamento com estratégias de longo prazo (Conway & Levy, et al, 2010) e pela classificação da OMS.…”

“…A dificuldade na transição da pessoa deve ser o foco de enfermagem (Conway & Levy, et al, 2010). Acreditamos que os enfermeiros são técnicos de saúde com especial capacidade para ajudar a pessoa toxicodependente nas suas necessidades, na melhoria da sua qualidade de vida e na gestão da sua dependência (Seabra 2005, Sequeira & Lopes, 2009, Lucas & Grilo, 2009).…”

Methods for population size estimation of problem drug users using a single registration

“…'Problem drug use' is a multi-dimensional concept (Conway et al, 2010) that refers to having more or less social, educational and employment, legal and financial problems as well as mental and physical health problems. Here we give an estimate of the subgroup of problem drug users having bad health.…”