Professional Documents
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Alcohol Use Inventory
Alcohol Use Inventory
Purpose: Designed to assess the nature of and problems associated with alcohol use
pattern.
Scoring: The Primary Scales focus on the "benefits," "styles," "consequences," and
"concerns and acknowledgments" of drinking. There are six second-level scales derived
from factor analysis of the relationships among the primary scales. The third level score
is a measure of broad involvement with alcohol. Total raw scores for both the hand
scoring and the computerized forms, are plotted on a graph so the decile rank are read.
Reliability & Validity: The AUI presents internal consistency reliabilities and test-
retest information on the scales from a number of different years and groups. The third-
level scale and second-level scales have higher coefficients than the primary scales as
expected. Of the Primary Scales, most coefficients ranged from .65-.80. The scales
appear to be reasonably associated with problem drinking.
Norms: The AUI was standardized on a sample of 1290 people applying for first time
inpatient alcohol treatment. The mean age was 39.16, (SD= 11.89) and the mean for
years of education were 11.50 (SD= 2.75). There were about5 15% women, 8% Black,
and 21% Hispanic. About 45% were married or living in a “marriage-type”
relationship. Other than that, there is not a good demographic description of the makeup
of the norming group.
Suggested use: A useful assessment tool when working with individuals with alcohol
problems. The scales can be interpreted based on the benefits, styles, consequences and
concerns associated with alcohol use, and is helpful in treatment. Combinations of
scores have been developed into typologies which indicate ways to relate to the client,
and can help with treatment planning.