Alcohol and Cannabis Simultaneous Use Scale (ACSUS)
Measures the frequency, quantity, and related problems associated with simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Alcohol and Cannabis Simultaneous Use Scale (ACSUS) was developed by Haley Kolp, Sarah Horvath, Paula J. Fite, Jane Metrik, Gregory L. Stuart, Krista M. Lisdahl, Ryan C. Shorey (2024). It is designed to measure Alcohol and Cannabis Simultaneous Use. The scale is intended for use with College students who use alcohol and cannabis.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 9 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: SAM use frequency and quantity, Problems associated with SAM use.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| SAM use frequency and quantity | 1,2,3,4 | 4 |
| Problems associated with SAM use | 5,6,7,8,9 | 5 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = Never / No / Low quantity (e.g., 1-2 drinks, 0.125g or less), 1 = Less than monthly / Monthly or less / Low-moderate quantity (e.g., 3-4 drinks, 0.25g), 2 = Monthly / 2-4 times a month / Moderate quantity (e.g., 5-6 drinks, 0.50g) / Yes, but not in the last 12 months, 3 = Weekly / 2-3 times a week / Moderate-high quantity (e.g., 7-9 drinks, 0.75g), 4 = Daily or almost daily / 4 or more times a week / High quantity (e.g., 10+ drinks, 1g or more) / Yes, during the last 12 months.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 36. Interpretation guidelines:
- Total Score Range (higher scores indicate more simultaneous use and related problems): 0 – 36
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Total ACSUS α = 0.70, Factor 1 α = 0.68, Factor 2 α = 0.69.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.