Translation and validation of the Addiction Recovery Questionnaire (ARQ)

Substance abuse is a pandemic disease in Pakistan. The use of stimulants such as methamphetamine and ecstasy is common among adolescents, and it is increasing day by day. Our educational institutes are also facing this problem. So, in the present study, the Addiction Recovery Questionnaire (ARQ) was translated and validated in Pakistani culture to address the language barrier. The present study aimed to translate and validate the addiction recovery questionnaire on a sample of 140 substance users. Five independent translators who were experts in translation were selected to translate the ARQ in Urdu, which was finalized by the committee of 3 experts. Similarly, 3 English translators were contacted to translate the Urdu version back into English and shared with the Authors for their feedback. The author's recommendations were also incorporated. The alpha reliability of the ARQ was reported as α = 0.60, which shows the reliability of the measure. CFA was applied for the translated version for model fit, and to confirm the factor loading, the value of Chi-Square 63.20 with RMSEA of 0.04 indicates an adequate fit of the model. The reliability of the measure was first time established in the present study, and the CFA was also done to determine the construct-based factors of recovery. Hence, the ARQ is a reliable and brief recovery outcome that can give information about different dimensions of recovery, such as abstinence, normal living, and positive life expectancy.