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Validated Data Collection Tools

Substance use disorder (SUD) programs may need to collect different types of data for evaluation. Examples of data sources for SUD program evaluation include:

  • Data from police reports about SUD-related encounters
  • Healthcare systems data relating to SUD-related treatment, hospitalizations, health outcomes, and deaths
  • Mental healthcare provider data related to medication, counseling, and treatment outcomes
  • Social service agency data on referrals to and utilization of SUD prevention, treatment, counseling, and recovery support services
  • Emergency medical services data on rates of opioid overdose and naloxone administration in the community
  • Demographic data about the characteristics of program participants
  • Program data about the number of training sessions held and the number of staff trained in program activities

Program staff may be able to leverage existing data sources to collect information for program evaluation. Program stakeholders and partners, such as treatment providers, healthcare systems, and law enforcement, may provide access to some of the data needed for program evaluation. Program planners can also consider several validated data collection tools to collect additional data for evaluation activities, including:

  • The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) – A semi-structured, one-hour interview guide designed to collect information about aspects of a person's life that might have contributed to his or her substance misuse. The ASI covers seven domains: medical status, employment/support status, alcohol use, drug use, legal status, family/social status, and psychiatric status.
  • The Maudsley Addiction Profile (MAP) – A multi-dimensional tool designed to evaluate treatment outcomes. It consists of 60 questions covering substance misuse, physical and mental health, personal and social functioning, and health risk behaviors.
  • The Opiate Treatment Index (OTI) – A structured interview assessing treatment outcomes in six domains: drug use, social functioning, criminality, HIV risk-taking behavior, health status, and psychological adjustment.
  • The World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) – A 26-item questionnaire aimed at assessing changes in quality of life over the course of an intervention. The questionnaire covers mental and physical health and social relationships, as well as outcomes relating to the home environment, financial resources, and new skills.
  • Tools for diagnosing opioid dependence are summarized in this table from a 2015 article in the Journal of Correctional Health Care.

Resources to Learn More

Program Evaluation: Data Collection and Analysis
Website
Compiles resources describing quantitative and qualitative modes of data collection and analysis for program evaluation. Covers program evaluation practice and standards, the selection of an evaluation consultant, and methods to develop and report program achievements.
Organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Screening and Assessment Tools Chart
Website
Links evidence-based SUD screening and assessment tools to substance type, patient age (adolescent to adult) and how tool is administered.
Organization: National Institute on Drug Abuse