Protocol - Substance Use Goal
- Duration of Abstinence - Alcohol
- Duration of Abstinence - Substance Use
- Internalizing, Externalizing, and Substance Use Disorders Screener
- Motivation to Quit - Multiple Item
- Motivation to Quit - Single Item
- Motives - Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Substances - General
- Peer/Partner Substance Use and Tolerance of Substance Use
- Perceived Harm of Substance Use
- Recovery Identification
- Substances - 30-Day Frequency
Description
The Thoughts About Abstinence (TAA) Scale is a four-item instrument that asks respondents about their desire to quit a single substance, expected success in quitting, expected difficulty in quitting, and a specific long-term goal, including controlled/reduced use. The first three items are scored on a 10-point Likert scale. The fourth item, on substance use goal, has seven goal options.
Specific Instructions
The PhenX Substance Use and Recovery Working Group (WG) notes that the Thoughts About Abstinence (TAA) Scale has been validated to assess goals in relation to cigarettes, alcohol, cocaine, and opioids. Investigators might consider utility in adapting (by changing the target substance) the TAA for other substances such as other stimulants, cannabis, sedatives, and other drugs.
Terminology related to substances, substance use, and recovery is fluid. Updates in protocol language may be appropriate based on circumstance. Suggestions for revision have been offered to update answer responses or other components of the questionnaires to account for the constantly changing landscape. These suggestions have not been tested or validated in research studies but may be considered by investigators to enhance relevance.
Protocols may include terms and language that could be triggering to respondents. Investigators are encouraged to have resources in place to help respondents cope with triggers as needed.
Availability
This protocol is freely available; permission not required for use.
Protocol
Thoughts About Abstinence (TAA) Scale
1. First, I’d like to know about how you feel about stopping smoking cigarettes at this time. On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 representing no desire to quit, give yourself a rating. Choose the number between 1 and 10 that best describes your own desire to stop smoking cigarettes at this time. Remember, the higher the number, the greater your desire.
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2. Now, I’d like to know how successful you expect to be quitting smoking cigarettes at this time. Be realistic about this, based on your past experiences and your present strength of motivation. On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 representing the lowest expectation of success and 10 representing the highest expectation of success, give yourself a rating of your own expectation of success in quitting smoking cigarettes. Remember the higher the number, the greater the expectation of success.
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3. Now I’d like to know how difficult you think it will be for you to keep from smoking cigarettes after having quit. On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 representing the lowest amount of difficulty and 10 representing the greatest amount of difficulty, give yourself a rating of how difficult you think it will be for you to quit and remain abstinent. Remember, the higher the number, the more difficult you think it will be for you to quit.
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4. Lastly, I want to know the GOAL you have chosen for yourself about smoking cigarettes at this time.
Please read the goals listed on this page and mark an X next to the one goal that best represents your own goal at this time, and fill in blanks as indicated.
[ ] 1 I really don’t have a clear goal in mind.
[ ] 2 I want to use cigarettes in a controlled manner-to be in control of how often I smoke and how much I smoke. I would like to limit that to no more than _____ (upper limit) per _____ (time).
[ ] 3 I want to be totally abstinent from all cigarette use for a period of time, after which I will make a new decision about whether or not I will smoke cigarettes again. For me, the time period I want to be abstinent for is: __________ (time).
[ ] 4 I don’t want smoking cigarettes to be a habit for me anymore, but would like to be able to occasionally smoke cigarettes when I really have an urge.
[ ] 5 I want to quit smoking cigarettes once and for all, even though I realize I may slip up and smoke cigarettes once and a while.
[ ] 6 I want to quit smoking cigarettes once and for all, to be totally abstinent, and never smoke cigarettes ever again for the rest of my life.
[ ] 7 None of the above applies exactly to me. My own goal is:
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Personnel and Training Required
NoneEquipment Needs
NoneRequirements
| Requirement Category | Required |
|---|---|
| Major equipment | No |
| Specialized training | No |
| Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection | No |
| Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual | No |
Mode of Administration
Self-administered questionnaire
Lifestage
Adult
Participants
Adults ages 18 and older
Selection Rationale
The Thoughts About Abstinence (TAA) Scale is a short, face-valid questionnaire that has been used in multiple reference studies (e.g., COMBINE, PAL). It has been adapted to assess goals in relation to tobacco, alcohol, cocaine, and opioids.
Language
English
Standards
| Standard | Name | ID | Source |
|---|
Derived Variables
None
Process and Review
Not Applicable
Protocol Name from Source
Thoughts About Abstinence (TAA) Scale
Source
Hall, S. M., Shi, Y., Humfleet, G. L., Muñoz, R. F., Reus, V. I., & Prochaska, J. J. (2015). Smoking cessation abstinence goal in treatment-seeking smokers. Addictive Behaviors, 42, 148–153.
doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2014.11.012
General References
Dunn, K. E., & Strain, E. C. (2013). Pretreatment alcohol drinking goals are associated with treatment outcomes. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 37(10), 1745–1752.
doi.org/10.1111/acer.12137
Hall, S. M., Havassy, B. E., & Wasserman, D. A. (1991). Effects of commitment to abstinence, positive moods, stress, and coping on relapse to cocaine use. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59(4), 526–532.
doi.org/10.1037//0022-006x.59.4.526
Hay, K. R., Huhn, A. S., Tompkins, D. A., & Dunn, K. E. (2019). Recovery goals and long-term treatment preference in persons who engage in nonmedical opioid use. Journal of Addiction Medicine, 13(4), 300–305.
doi:10.1097/ADM.0000000000000498
Lookatch, S. J., Wimberly, A. S., & McKay, J. R. (2019). Effects of social support and 12-step involvement on recovery among people in continuing care for cocaine dependence. Substance Use and Misuse, 54(13), 2144–2155.
doi:10.1080/10826084.2019.1638406
Schwebel, F. J., Emery, N. N., Pfund, R. A., Pearson, M. R., & Witkiewitz, K. (2022). Using machine learning to examine predictors of treatment goal change among individuals seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 140, 108825.
doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2022.108825
Protocol ID
590301
Variables
Export Variables| Variable Name | Variable ID | Variable Description | dbGaP Mapping | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PX590301_Substance_Use_And_Recovery_Goal_A_Desire_Stop_Smoking_This_Time | ||||
| PX590301010000 | First, I'd like to know about how you feel more | N/A | ||
| PX590301_Substance_Use_And_Recovery_Goal_A_Mark_best_represent_your_goal | ||||
| PX590301040000 | Lastly, I want to know the GOAL you have more | N/A | ||
| PX590301_Substance_Use_And_Recovery_Goal_A_Mark_Best_Represent_Your_Goal_None_Applies_My_Own_Goal_Is | ||||
| PX590301040400 | Lastly, I want to know the GOAL you have more | N/A | ||
| PX590301_Substance_Use_And_Recovery_Goal_A_Mark_Best_Represent_Your_Goal_Smoke_No_More_Than_Upper_Limit | ||||
| PX590301040100 | Lastly, I want to know the GOAL you have more | N/A | ||
| PX590301_Substance_Use_And_Recovery_Goal_A_Mark_Best_Represent_Your_Goal_Smoke_No_More_Than_Upper_Limit_Per_Time | ||||
| PX590301040200 | Lastly, I want to know the GOAL you have more | N/A | ||
| PX590301_Substance_Use_And_Recovery_Goal_A_Mark_Best_Represent_Your_Goal_Time_Period_Want_Abstinent | ||||
| PX590301040300 | Lastly, I want to know the GOAL you have more | N/A | ||
| PX590301_Substance_Use_And_Recovery_Goal_A_Rating_How_Difficult_Remain_Abstinent | ||||
| PX590301030000 | Now I'd like to know how difficult you think more | N/A | ||
| PX590301_Substance_Use_And_Recovery_Goal_A_Tating_Own_Expectation_Success_Quitting_Smoking | ||||
| PX590301020000 | Now, I'd like to know how successful you more | N/A | ||
Measure Name
Substance Use Goal
Release Date
May 7, 2025
Definition
The individual’s personal goal with regard to his or her own substance use.
Purpose
An individual’s substance use goal predicts recovery and relapse. For example, individuals with a goal of lifetime total abstinence achieve substantially better substance use outcomes than individuals with other goals (e.g., “controlled” use).
Keywords
recovery, substance use, drug use, alcohol use, sobriety, sober, addictive behaviors, alcohol use disorder, AUD, excessive drinking, abstinence, substance use disorder, SUD, addiction, smoking, quitting smoking, quit, tobacco, Smoking Cessation
Measure Protocols
| Protocol ID | Protocol Name |
|---|---|
| 590301 | Substance Use Goal |