GAIN- I (Initial) version 5.5.1

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 101-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 "Core Only" - This 61-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.
• 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 - Cover, 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
  • Chapter 10 - References
  To download the entire manual, including the chapters above, along with references and appendices including FAQs, instruments, sample clinical reports, and other miscellaneous items, use the link below:
  • GAIN Manual version 5 (zip format, 19.7 meg)
• 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.
• 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.