Home/ADOM guide

ADOM, explained.

A plain-English overview of the Alcohol and Drug Outcome Measure used by New Zealand addiction services: what it is, who collects it and when.

An addiction practitioner and a client talking in a counselling room in New Zealand

General information only. This guide is a plain-English overview, current as at November 2026. It is not legal, compliance or professional advice. Confirm your obligations with your funder and the current official documentation.

Where this applies: New Zealand. ADOM is used by community-based adult addiction services in all four Health NZ regions, including NGOs. For the wider picture, see the New Zealand reporting guide.

What is ADOM?

The Alcohol and Drug Outcome Measure (ADOM) is a short questionnaire used by community-based adult addiction services in New Zealand. It helps people rate and track their alcohol and drug use, their lifestyle and wellbeing, and how satisfied they are with their progress towards recovery.

ADOM was designed in New Zealand. It was first developed in 2009 by the Clinical Research and Resource Centre at Waitematā DHB with the National Addiction Centre, and is now supported by Te Pou, which publishes the guide, training and national reports.

Who collects it?

The Ministry of Health has mandated ADOM collection and reporting since July 2015 for community-based outpatient adult addiction services, in both Health NZ and NGO services. Services must offer ADOM, and the person being supported has the right to decline.

It is designed for adults aged 18 and over who are enrolled with a government-funded community addiction service. It is not used for brief interventions or for people who have spent most of the past four weeks in an inpatient or custodial setting.

What does it cover?

ADOM has 20 questions in three sections, each looking back over the past four weeks.

Substance use. Eleven questions on the type and frequency of alcohol and drug use.
Lifestyle and wellbeing. Seven questions on how life is going beyond substance use.
Recovery. Two questions on satisfaction with progress towards recovery.

When is it collected?

Treatment start. Within two weeks of starting treatment.
Reviews. At six weeks, then every 12 weeks.
Treatment end. When the person leaves the service.

How is it reported?

ADOM is reported through PRIMHD as a collection occasion, alongside the referral and activity records a service already submits each month. See the PRIMHD guide for deadlines and submission options.

Te Pou publishes national ADOM reports from PRIMHD data. ADOM is not an audit tool and is not intended as a measure of service or practitioner performance.

Where Mimaso fits

Mimaso has PRIMHD reporting built in for New Zealand providers, so the monthly return is produced from the casework your team already records.

Book a walkthrough to see how it handles your own programs and measures.

Frequently asked questions

Is ADOM mandatory?

Eligible community-based adult addiction services must offer ADOM. The person being supported can decline to complete it.

How often is ADOM collected?

At the start of treatment, at a six-week review, then every 12 weeks, and at the end of treatment.

How is ADOM reported?

Through PRIMHD, as a collection occasion alongside the other PRIMHD records a service submits.

Is there a youth version of ADOM?

ADOM is designed for adults aged 18 and over. Check with your funder for the measures expected in youth services.

Sources

Te Pou: Alcohol and Drug Outcome Measure (ADOM) guide for addiction practitioners, version 5.0, and national ADOM reports. Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora: HISO 10023 PRIMHD standards.

This guide is general information only and is not legal, compliance or professional advice. Reporting requirements change, so always check the current official documentation and your service agreement. Mimaso accepts no responsibility for any reliance placed on this guide.