Understanding the complexities of addiction and its impacts on various facets of an individual's life is crucial for providing adequate support and treatment. The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) is a comprehensive clinical interview designed to evaluate the severity and breadth of a person's substance use disorder. This instrument covers seven critical domains that together give treatment providers a complete picture of a patient's needs, guiding professionals in crafting a targeted treatment plan.
The ASI evaluates addiction severity across seven distinct problem areas. Each domain is rated on a 0-9 scale from no problem to extreme problem requiring immediate attention:
Each domain receives a composite score based on responses collected during the interview. Clinicians rate the patient's need for treatment in each area on a 10-point severity scale. A score of 0-1 indicates no real problem, while a score of 7-9 indicates an extreme problem. These composite scores allow treatment teams to prioritize interventions and allocate resources where they are needed most. Monitoring scores across multiple assessment points helps both clinicians and patients gauge the effectiveness of interventions over time.
This form represents the full Addiction Severity Index, also referred to as the ASI-6. Clinicians who need a shorter intake tool may prefer the ASI-Lite form, which covers the same seven domains but with fewer questions per domain and is better suited to brief initial screenings. The full ASI is recommended when a comprehensive baseline assessment is required at intake or at key points during treatment.
The ASI is completed by a trained clinician conducting a structured interview with the patient, typically taking 45 to 60 minutes. It is used at treatment intake to establish a baseline, at follow-up appointments to track progress, and at discharge to measure outcomes. Facilities working with patients on addiction and criminal justice issues often require an ASI as part of their intake process. Organizations running drug-free workplace programs may also reference this assessment alongside a drug testing consent form to document treatment referrals and compliance.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Form Name | Addiction Severity Index (ASI-6) |
| Form Length | 15 pages |
| Form Type | Clinical Assessment Tool |
| Domains Assessed | Medical, Employment, Alcohol, Drug, Legal, Family/Social, Psychiatric (7 total) |
| Interview Duration | 45–60 minutes (clinician-administered) |
| Fillable? | No (use our free online editor) |
| Avg. time to fill out | 3 min 45 sec |
| Other names | ASI-6 PDF, addiction severity index 6, addiction index, ASI PDF, ASI assessment, printable ASI |
