Using the Addiction Severity Index to Predict Treatment Outcome Among Substance Abusing Parolees

One month after their release from incarceration, 224 drug abuser parolees assigned to routine parole procedures enhanced by weekly drug abuse counseling and urine monitoring were administered the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) to determine the ability of the ASI to predict substance abuse treatment outcome during the first year of parole in terms of: (1) participation in treatment; (2) the occurrence of major infractions; (3) drug use; and (4) employment. Results revealed the prominence of two problem areas, Employment and Drug Use, in the predicting of outcome. Parolees with no initially identifiable problems in these areas were more likely to experience favorable outcome at the end of the year.