Clinical Textbook of Addictive Disorders 3rd ed - R. Frances, S. Miller, A. Mack (Guilford, 2005) WW

CHAPTER 3Psychological Evaluationof Substance Use Disorderin Adolescents and AdultsRALPH E. TARTERPsychological evaluation is directed at characterizing cognitive, emotional, andbehavioral processes. The evaluation of substance use disorders thus focuses onmultiple domains of psychological functioning. The instruments selectivelyreviewed in this chapter satisfy the following criteria: (1) the psychometricproperties have been empirically established, (2) the measures have practicalutility, and, (3) they are applicable to diverse populations.It has been previously argued that the assessment of substance abuse shoulduse comparable measures in clinical and research settings (Rounsaville, 1993).The ultimate usefulness of psychological measurement is to delineate theunique factors within the individual that predispose to substance use onset, sustainhabitual consumption, and impede psychosocial adjustment. Moreover, acomprehensive evaluation should directly guide the selection of prevention andtreatment strategies that are most likely to be successful. In the managed careenvironment, where there is an emphasis on cost containment and empiricaldocumentation, it is invaluable to obtain as much information as possible thatcould expedite effective treatment.Psychological evaluation must also accommodate contemporary understandingof the disorder. Hence, evaluation must encompass an approach thataligns with an appreciation of the multifactorial etiology of substance use disorder.A multivariate assessment protocol is therefore necessary to characterizethe individual fully. Finally, it needs to be recognized that manifold psychologi-37