The Short Inventory of Problems-Modified for Drug Use (SIP-DU): validity in a primary care sample

Primary care physicians can help drug-dependent patients mitigate adverse drug use consequences; instruments validated in primary care to measure these consequences would aid in this effort. This study evaluated the validity of the Short Inventory of Problems-Alcohol and Drugs modified for Drug Use (SIP-DU) among subjects recruited from a primary care clinic (n= 106). SIP-DU internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's alphas, convergent validity by correlating the total SIP-DU score with the DAST-10, and construct validity by analyzing the factor structure. The SIP-DU demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha for overall scale .95, subscales .72-.90) comparable with other SIP versions and correlated well with the DAST-10 (r= .70). Confirmatory factor analysis suggested an unacceptable fit of previously proposed factors; exploratory factor analyses suggested a single factor of drug use consequences. The SIP-DU offers primary care clinicians a valid and practical assessment tool for drug use consequences.