Impaired Control Scale: cross-validation and relationships with treatment outcome

Addiction. 1998 May;93(5):761-71. doi: 10.1046/j.1360-0443.1998.93576112.x.

Abstract

Aims: (1) To cross-validate Australian findings on the Impaired Control Scale (ICS) in an English sample of problem drinkers. (2) To examine a possible improvement to the scoring of the ICS. (3) To explore the relationship of the ICS to treatment outcome.

Design: In a repeated measures design, questionnaires and interviews were administered by trained staff during treatment and again at 6 months follow-up.

Setting: Two alcohol and drug treatment services in Newcastle and Liverpool (UK).

Participants: Two hundred and twenty-nine problem drinkers attending as in- or outpatients, with abstinence or moderation treatment goals.

Measurements: ICS scores; typical weekly alcohol consumption (units); degree of alcohol-related problems; severity of alcohol dependence; and classification of outcome using consumption levels and current alcohol-related problems, with collateral confirmation of self-reports.

Findings: The satisfactory reliability and validity of the ICS was confirmed in an English sample of problem drinkers in treatment. An improved "substitution method" of scoring was developed to give a single measure of impaired control for all subjects irrespective of degree of attempted control. ICS scores were significantly correlated with treatment outcome and, among a subgroup of subjects who had aimed at abstinence but failed, predicted outcome status after the effects of degree of dependence had been extracted.

Conclusions: Impaired control over alcohol consumption can be measured in a reliable and valid fashion by the ICS. The ICS has potential uses in research on impaired control and as a clinical assessment tool.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alcoholism / therapy*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales*
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Treatment Outcome