Non-Confidential Summary

Market Need

Measures the severity of alcohol dependence.

Technology Description

The Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS) is one of the most widely used research and clinical tools for measuring the severity of alcohol dependence and assessing clients with alcohol problems. The ADS provides a quantitative measure of the severity of alcohol dependence consistent with the concept of the alcohol dependence syndrome. The 25 items cover alcohol withdrawal symptoms, impaired control over drinking, awareness of a compulsion to drink, increased tolerance to alcohol, and salience of drink-seeking behavior. The ADS is widely used as a research and clinical tool, and studies have found the instrument to be reliable and valid.

Stage of Development

Validated. The ADS has been found to have excellent predictive value with respect to a DSM diagnosis.

Advantages

One of the most widely used and reliable clinical tools. Quick, simple and inexpensive.

Notable Publications

Skinner HA, Allen BA. Alcohol Dependence Syndrome: Measurement and validation. J. Abnorm. Psychol. 1982;91:199–209.

Skinner, H.A. & Horn, J.L. (1984). Alcohol Dependence Scale: Users Guide. Toronto, Canada: Addiction Research Foundation – now the Center for Addiction and Mental Health: www.camh.ca

H E Ross D R Gavin H A Skinner . Diagnostic validity of the MAST and the alcohol dependence scale in the assessment of DSM-III alcohol disorders. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 51(6), 506–513 (1990).

Mejldal A, Andersen K, Bilberg R,et al. The Alcohol Dependence Scale and DSM-5 alcohol use disorder: Severity ratings correspond insufficiently in older patients. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2020;29:e1811. https://doi.org/10.1002/mpr.1811