The Alcoholism Denial Assessment Tool (ADAT)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop and test a tool for assessing alcoholic denial. The primary author devised the Alcoholism Denial Assessment Tool (ADAT) based on 2 years of experience. The tool was tested for interrater reliability using chart data of 42 recently discharged alcoholism patients. The test for significance of a proportion, using z scores, indicated significance at the .001 level. Item analysis showed strong interrater reliability on all but 1 of the 16 tool items. The ADAT provides nurses with a practical assessment tool that can be used daily to monitor progress. Recognition that a patient is in denial can allow meaningful and appropriately planned treatment.