The validity of self-reported abstinence and quality sobriety following chemical dependency treatment.

The validity of self-reports from 171 former patients at a 28-day inpatient treatment program was examined by comparing self-report measures of abstinence and current life functioning with concurrent reports by significant others. Strong convergent validation was found, with 92% of significant others agreeing with the self-reports of the former clients. The "quality of sobriety" measures of familial, occupational, social, and emotional adjustment were studied and validated by the convergent validation technique. Discussed is the value of convergent validation in terms of both follow-up success rates and program evaluation. Methodological concerns and resulting limitations of the data are reviewed.