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 Kolp, H., Horvath, S., Fite, P. J., Metrik, J., Stuart, G. L., Lisdahl, K. M., & Shorey, R. C. (2024). It is designed to measure Alcohol and Cannabis Simultaneous Use. The scale is intended for use with Adulthood (18+ years); Young Adulthood (18-29 years).
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 / Lowest frequency or quantity, 1 = Less than monthly / Low frequency or quantity, 2 = Monthly / Moderate frequency or quantity, 3 = Weekly / High frequency or quantity, 4 = Daily or almost daily / Highest frequency or quantity.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 36. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low simultaneous use and related problems: 0 – 9
- Moderate simultaneous use and related problems: 10 – 18
- High simultaneous use and related problems: 19 – 27
- Severe simultaneous use and related problems: 28 – 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.