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It is the adaptation of the 5th European version of the Addiction Severity Index -ASI- (39-40), carried out within the framework of the Euro- pean Economic Community through the panel COST-A6 (41) Index Addiction Severity (ASI / Europ- ASI). It is an instrument that allows a multidimensional diagnosis of addiction problems, evaluating its seriousness and putting them in a bio-psycho-social context. By providing a patient profile in different areas of his/her life it allows a comprehensive diagnosis and facilitates the planning of the most appropriate therapeutic intervention for each patient.

The instrument is based on a semistructured clinical interview format whose purpose is the multidimensional assessment of problems related to the use of psychoactive substances, in the following areas: physical health, employment / resources, drugs / alcohol, legal situation, familar history, family / social relationships and mental health. Studies in Hungary showed statistically significant and high-magnitude correlations between severity scores and scores composed in all sections. It also demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach =>. 70)

For the severity scores for each problem area, the interviewer will first consider the goal and scores items as follows: 0-1: there is no real problem; 2-3: slight problem; 4-5: moderate problem; 6-7 considerable problem; 8-9: extreme. Thus a profile of the severity of the patient in each of the problem areas is obtained.

The items are answered by the patient using a 5-point scale called patient evaluation scale (0, not at all; 1, slightly; 2, moderately; 3, considerably; 4, extremely). The word severity is understood as needing treatment or implementation of additional treatment, i.e., the degree to which some kind of effective intervention is necessary These severity scores can range from 0 to 9: 0-1: there is no real problem, treatment is not indicated; 2-3: slight problem, treatment is probably not necessary ; 4-5: moderate problem, some treatment is indicated ; 6-7. considerable problem, treatment necessary; 8-9: extreme problem, treatment absolutely necessary.

McLellan AT, Kushner H, Metzger D, Peters, R., Smith, I, Grissom G, Pettinati H, Argeriu M, The Fifth Edition of the Adiction Severity Index. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 1992; 9 (3): 199-213