Measuring Recovery: The Addiction Recovery Questionnaire (ARQ)

ABSTRACT The Addiction Recovery Questionnaire (ARQ) is derived from the views of service users, their families and friends. Data were collected from 305 participants in the UK general population and addiction services, asked to self-identify as being in one of three groups: treatment, recovery or well-functioning, and complete the ARQ. Regression and latent class analyses were used to determine that the ARQ could distinguish the three groups. Clinically significant change values were established. Although there are some discrepancies in the way individuals define their recovery, self-identification was found to be broadly valid. The ARQ is able to assign people to different stages of recovery from addiction, and provides an instrument for monitoring change and measuring outcomes in the key components of lifestyle, involvement with substance use and self-confidence.