What is a major criticism of self-report instruments in addiction assessment?

Self-report instruments in addiction assessment are often criticized because the questions can be face-value and obvious, which may lead to incomplete or inaccurate responses from individuals. This straightforward nature of the questions can invite social desirability bias, where respondents answer in a manner they believe is more acceptable, rather than providing honest answers about their substance use or behaviors. Furthermore, when questions are too transparent, they may not adequately capture the complexity of an individual's experience with addiction, potentially leading to an oversimplified understanding of their situation.

Utilizing self-report measures assumes that individuals will be forthcoming and self-reflective about their substance use, but this is not always the case. The emotional and psychological aspects of addiction can complicate a person's ability to respond honestly or accurately to simple questions. This implies that the depth of assessment could be compromised when relying solely on such instruments.