The Assessment of
Warning-Signs of Relapse (AWARE)
A Simple Scale of Gorski's
Warning Signs for Relapse
Proves to be a Reliable
& Valid Predictor of Alcohol Relapses
Reference:
Miller, W.R.; Harris, R.J. Simple
scale of Gorski's warning signs for relapse. Journal of Studies on
Alcohol, 61(5):759-765, Sept 2000
<Print
A Copy of AWARE>
<A Scientifically Validated Relapse Prediction Questionnaire>
Though it has
enjoyed widespread popularity, Gorski's post-acute withdrawal
syndrome (PAWS) model of relapse has been subjected to little
scientific scrutiny. A scale to operationalize Gorski's 37 warning
signs was developed and tested in a larger prospective study of
predictors of relapse. Of central interest were: (1) whether
the warning signs hypothesized by Gorski are interrelated in a
meaningful single factor and (2) whether the hypothesized syndrome
would accurately predict subsequent relapses.
A sample of 122
individuals (84 men) entering treatment for alcohol problems was
followed at 2-month intervals for 1 year. The Assessment of
Warning-signs of Relapse (AWARE) scale was administered at each
assessment point, and the occurrence of both slips (any drinking)
and relapses (heavy drinking) was monitored during each subsequent
2-month interval. Principal factor analysis was used to study the
factor structure of the warning signs.
Of the 37
warning signs, 28 clustered as a robust single factor with
excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.92-0.93). A
conservative evaluation of test-retest stability across 2-month
intervals estimated reliability at r = 0.80. After covarying for
prior drinking status, clients' AWARE scores significantly
predicted subsequent slips and relapses. Relapse rates for clients
with highest AWARE scores, as projected by regression equations,
were 33 to 46 percentage points higher than those for clients with
lowest AWARE scores, after taking into account prior drinking
status.
This scale of
Gorski's warning signs appears to be a reliable and valid
predictor of alcohol relapses. 10 Ref.
<Print
A Copy of AWARE>
<A Scientifically Validated Relapse Prediction Questionnaire>