GAIN- I (Initial) version 5.6.2

There are several program- or project-specific variations of this instrument and/or variations in what is considered "Core." The version available on this page is the most general one.  The APSS Site contains project-specific versions for programs funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). A detailed list of earlier and project-specific versions is available in the GAIN Archive.

• GAIN Overview - A 4-page description of the GAIN’s development and purpose, utilization, content, applications, norms, scales, reliability and licensure.
• GAIN-Initial "Core + Optional" (Full) - This is the full 113-page version of the instrument that takes 90 (core only) to 120 minutes to administer.  On both the hard (paper) and electronic versions, the user can choose to do the full version (core + optional), just the core, or move back and forth between the two as they choose.
• GAIN Initial 5.6.2 Full (enlarged version) - in 11" x 17" format for users who are visually impaired.
• GAIN-Initial "Core Only" - This 77-page version contains only the required items.  It is primarily used to reduce the size of the paper version to be duplicated when only the core items are used.
• GAIN Initial 5.6.2 Core (enlarged version) - in 11" x 17" format for users who are visually impaired.
• VGNI-I - A Spanish-language version of the GAIN-I. Information in English is available here. Información en español acerca del VGNI-I, la versión del GAIN-I en idioma español, está disponible aquí.
• GAIN Response Cards - A set of cards to help respondents with a common response set.  (The responses are on the GAIN already, these are enlarged so that the respondent can hold them.)
• GAIN Calendars - Calendar pages to use for Time Anchoring.
• GAIN Administration Manual (version 5)
  Download the table of contents and the chapters of the main part of the manual below:
  • Table of Contents
  • Chapter 1 - Introduction, Questions and Organization
  • Chapter 2 - Conducting a Semi-Structured Assessment
  • Chapter 3 - Basic Administration
  • Chapter 4 - Quality Assurance in GAIN Administration
  • Chapter 5 - Diagnosis
  • Chapter 6 - Level of Care Placement
  • Chapter 7 - Individualized Treatment Planning
  • Chapter 8 - Training, Certification and Clinical Supervision
  • Chapter 9 - Program Evaluation
• GAIN Archive - Earlier and project-specific versions of the GAIN and other GAIN-related documents. Download any of the versions of the GAIN-I, GAIN-M, and their QxQ specifications, as well as other GAIN-related documents.
• GAIN Item Walkthrough - The GAIN walkthrough is an item-by-item description of the full GAIN-I and GAIN-M90 instruments. The walkthrough explains the administration nuances of each item and item set, answers many commonly asked questions, and suggests ways to avoid common problems and inconsistencies. This can be used as a resource for GAIN Site Interviewers, Administrators, and Local Trainers.
• Frequently Asked Questions for the GAIN (version 5) - A list of common questions that arise in administering the GAIN and how we have answered them.

Materials available on the GAIN-I

• GAIN Recommendation and Referral Summary (GRRS) (sample report)- the GAIN’s main diagnostic and treatment planning tool, a narrative report of the participant’s responses to the items in the GAIN-I to aid in diagnosis, placement, and treatment planning. Sections include suggestions for appropriate DSM-IV or ICD-10 diagnoses; ASAM diagnostic criteria (Dimensions A and B1 through B6); Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), Global Assessment of Relational Functioning (GARF), and Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS) scores; and summary recommendations for treatment planning. The GRRS can also be set to generate Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA) treatment recommendations. The GRRS is fully editable, allowing users to modify or delete the suggested diagnoses and recommendations as appropriate.


• Individual Clinical Profile (ICP) (sample report)- a detailed technical report listing the GAIN items that factor into a participant’s DSM-IV-TR and ICD-10 diagnoses, including presenting concerns, DSM-IV-TR Axis I through V diagnoses, and ASAM Dimensional treatment planning considerations, 90-day–prevalence summaries of problems and services for each ASAM treatment planning dimension, and low, moderate, and high-severity problem cutpoints.


• Personalized Feedback Report (PFR) (sample report) - a short report for use with Motivational Enhancement Treatment/Cognitive Behavior Therapy (MET/CBT; Sampl & Kadden, 2001). The PFT gives the client feedback on their responses and how they compare to others in their demographic groups.


• Validity report (sample report)- identifies inconsistencies or problem areas in a participant’s GAIN-I, allowing for immediate clarification by the interviewer.