USE OF MICHIGAN ALCOHOLISM SCREENING-TEST WITH HOSPITALIZED ALCOHOLICS, PSYCHIATRIC-PATIENTS, DRINKING DRIVERS, AND SOCIAL DRINKERS IN NEW-ZEALAND

The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) has been validated on a wide range of American drinkers. In this study the MAST was administered to four groups of New Zealand males: 100 hospitalized alcoholics, 100 psychiatric inpatients, 70 convicted drinking drivers, and 55 social drinkers. All the diagnosed alcoholics scored in the test's alcoholic range, as did 83% of the drinking drivers. Seventy-six percent of psychiatric patients and 89% of social drinkers scored below 5. The MAST appears to be a valid instrument for use under New Zealand conditions, but the ability to discriminate between alcoholics and problem drinkers would be an added advantage. © 1979 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.