The RIASI test--I Bet You Didn't Know You Were An Alcoholic/Substance Abuser.

The RIASI Test

During your one hour intake interview you will take the DRI-II and RIASI tests, which supposedly assess your abuse/dependence on alcohol/drugs. 

The DRI-II:  In my last post I wrote that there are essentially no peer review studies of the DRI-II test.  All but two of the many studies of the DRI-II were done by the company that sells the test, Behavior Data Systems, Inc., which is like the tobacco companies publishing studies telling you that smoking cigarettes is good for you.  (The two peer review studies had severely faulty methodology and are of little value.)  But, since it's computerized and automatically scored, it's good for the lazy people that work at places like Amethyst Foundation, Inc.  Also, the phony veneer of scientific respectability pushed by the marketing people at Behavior Data Systems is easily bought by the intellectually and scientifically naive, uncritical people at Amethyst.  These people simply decide to "believe" things, whereupon they become fact--like the "effectiveness" of AA despite multiple rigorous scientific studies that show it is of zero value.  Unfortunately, I do not have a copy of the DRI-II to post, but I'm working on it.

The RIASI:  This test is a joke and I can't believe it's still being used.  Essentially, everyone, if they answer honestly, will score as an alcoholic or drug abuser.  Below is a complete copy, with the answers they are looking for:

                                                                                                 HOW YOU SHOULD
                                                                                                           ANSWER

T  F  1.  I smoke or use tobacco products.*                                                  False
T  F  2.  I have no problem telling a companion that he or she has done
                 something to hurt my feelings.*                                                   True
T  F  3.  I often feel so restless I can't sit still.                                                False
T  F  4.  When I drink 7 or more drinks, I become aggressive.                        False
T  F  5.  I like people who are sharp and witty even though they may
                  sometimes hurt other peoples' feelings.*                                     False
T  F  6.  When the alcohol runs out, I leave the party.                                    False
T  F  7.  When I make plans I am almost certain to make them work.             False
T  F  8.  I have relatives who have had problems with alcohol or drugs.            False
T  F  9.  I have been arrested for crimes other than drinking and driving.*         False
T  F  10.  My hand often shakes when I try to do something.                          False
T  F  11.  I am irritated a lot more than people are aware of.                           False
T  F  12.  Since the age of 18, I have been accidentally cut, or cut in a fight
                or burned badly enough to leave scar.                                           False
T  F  13.  A family member was arrested for drinking and driving.*                  False
T  F  14.  When I don't get my own way, I sulk or pout.                                 False
T  F  15.  I slow down when a traffic light turns yellow.                                   True
T  F  16.  I often feel like a powder keg ready to explode.                              False
T  F  17.  When I have a problem, I try to make it go away by drinking.          False
T  F  18.  I have no trouble sleeping or staying awake.*                                 True
T  F  19.  I sometimes do dangerous or risky things just for fun.                     False
T  F  20.  I have experienced a major stressful life event in the past .           
               12 months.                                                                                  False
T  F  21.  I feel like I have lived the right kind of life.*                                      True
T  F  22.  It is easy for me to turn down an unreasonable request
               from a friend.                                                                                True
T  F  23.  I have feelings that something bad will happen to me.                      False
T  F  24.  I feel like I have lost energy.  I am fatigued and tired.                       False
T  F  25.  I often have feelings of nervousness.                                               False
T  F  26.  I often feel sad or blue.                                                                  False
T  F  27.  A drink or two gives me energy to get started.                                 False
T  F  28.  I am probably not capable of slapping someone, even when I lose
               my temper.*                                                                                 True
T  F  29.  When I get beyond a certain point, I don't stop drinking until all the
                booze is gone or I pass out.                                                         False
T  F  30.  I don't like to break Rules, even when I think they are wrong.            True
T  F  31.  I hardly ever drink more than I plan to.*                                           True
T  F  32.  I am not interested in surprising or upsetting others by doing
               something that might shock them.                                                  True
T  F  33.  It depresses me that I did not do more for my parents.                     False
T  F  34.  I like to gamble for money.                                                              False
T  F  35.  After 7 or more drinks, I feel happier.                                              False
T  F  36.  I often acted without thinking as a child.                                          False
T  F  37.  I was referred for a liver test, or a blood test for liver enzymes.*        False
T  F  38.  Since the age of 18, I have needed emergency treatment for an
                injury of some kind.                                                                      False
T  F  39.  I skipped school as a kid.*                                                             False
T  F  40.  When I am drinking, I make sure I do not skip any meals.                True
T  F  41.  I often feel hopeless about the future.                                              False


___  42.  In the past five (5) years, how many jobs have you had?                    One
___  43.  How many traffic tickets for moving violations have you ever
               received (i.e. speeding, running a red light or a stop sign)?                One
___  44.  How much money do you usually spend on alcohol a week?
               Include the cost of drinking at home, at friends' or relatives'
               houses, and in bars and restaurants.                                               Nothing
___  45.  If you go out drinking, how many places do you drink at in
               one evening?  Include friends' and relatives' homes, as well
               as bars and restaurant.                                                                   Zero
___  46.  What is the largest number of drinks you ever consumed in a
                24-hour period?  (One drink is a 12 once beer, or a one ounce
                shot of liquor, or one mixed drink, or a 4 ounce glass of wine,
                or a 12 ounce wine cooler.)*                                                          Two
___  47.  How many days of the week do you usually drink?  If you
               drink less than once a week, please write 1.*                                   Zero
___  48.  When you are drinking, how many drinks do you usually have?*         One
___  49.  How many drinks does it take before you begin to feel the
               effects of alcohol?*                                                                        One

Listed below are a few statements about our relationship with others.  Please CIRCLE the number that indicates how much each statement is TRUE or FALSE for you.

Definitely  Mostly   Don't   Mostly  Definitely
    True       True    Know   False      False
  
       1           2           3         4            5

50.  I am always courteous, even to people who are disagreeable.               Circle 1
51.  I sometimes feel resentful when I don't get my way.                             Circle 5
52.  No matter who I'm talking to, I'm always a good listener.                      Circle 1

  

You will be given two scores:  A Total Score, and a Recidivism Score.  Your recidivism score will be based on those questions with asterisks after them.  These are all "subtle question" types--questions that don't outwardly appear to be asking about alcohol or substance abuse.  Therefore, be careful about how you answer these questions.

These tests are designed so that everyone can take them, and for ease of grading.  So they are written at the 4-5th grade level, every answer is True or False or a number, and the subtle questions are indicated with asterisks.  The asterisks will be visible on your exams--we can't have the LADCs doing any extra work like copying, etc...  (Remember, these people are lazy and stupid.  Copier technology is too much to ask them to deal with.)

Looking at the questions, it's no wonder everyone scores as a substance abuser.  Look at this subtle (asterisked) question:

"I have no problem telling a companion that he or she has done something to hurt my feelings.*"

If you answer False to this, you're an alcoholic.  Imagine, if you're a man, sitting at the bar having a drink with your friend Chuck, saying to him, "Gosh, Chuck.  When you said said my shirt looked gay, it hurt my feelings."  Well, to not score as an alcoholic, you have to be hypersensitive and have no problems whining about it.

I like this one, too, another subtle one:

"I like people who are sharp and witty even though they may sometimes hurt other peoples' feelings.*"

Answer True and your an alcoholic.  Most forms of comedy (parody, satire, etc...) are going to hurt someone's feelings.  Provocative ideas and opinions are likely to hurt people's feelings.  I like Triumph the Comic Insult Dog and Christopher Hitchens, so I guess I'm a hardcore alcoholic.  How stupid.

I also liked:

"I often acted without thinking as a child."

Answer True = alcoholic.  To the genius psychologist who designed this test:  CHILDREN ARE BY NATURE IMPULSIVE.  Look it up in your Psychology 101 textbook, idiot.