Instrument details

Instrument Title

Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS)

View PDF - Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS)_Skinner.pdf

Source Article

Skinner, H.A. & Allen, B.A. (1982). Alcohol dependence syndrome: Measurement and validation. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 91, 199-209.

Response Options

Question 1: Enough to get high or less, Enough to get drunk, Enough to pass out
Questions 2, 9, 15, 18, 24, 25: YES or NO,
Questions 3 and 6: No, Sometimes, Often
Questions 4 and 12: No, Sometimes, Almost every time I drink
Question 5: No, Sometimes, Several times
Questions 7, 8, 23: No, Once, Several times
Question 10: No, never; Sometimes; Often; Almost every time I drink
Question 11: No, Some of the time, Most of the time
Question 13: No, Once, More than Once
Questions 14, 17, 19, 21: No, Yes, Several times
Question 16: No; Yes, but only for a few hours; Yes, for one or two days; Yes, for many days
Question 20: No, Once or twice, Often
Question 22: Have never had a blackout, Have had blackouts that last less than an hour, Have had blackouts that last for several hours, Have had blackouts that last a day or more

Survey Items

How much did you drink the last time you drank?
Do you often have hangovers on Sunday or Monday mornings?
Have you had the "shakes" when sobering up (hands tremble, shake inside)?
Do you get physically sick (e.g., vomit, stomach cramps) as a result of drinking?
Have you had the "DTs" (delirium tremens) - that is, seen, felt or heard things not really there; felt very anxious, restless, and over excited?
When you drink, do you stumble about, stagger, and weave?
As a result of drinking, have you felt overly hot and sweaty (feverish)?
As a result of drinking, have you seen things that were not really there?
Do you panic because you fear you may not have a drink when you need it?
Have you had blackouts ("loss of memory" without passing out) as a result of drinking?
Do you carry a bottle with you or keep one close at hand?
After a period of abstinence (not drinking), do you end up drinking heavily again?
In the past 12 months, have you passed out as a result of drinking?
Have you had a convulsion (fit) following a period of drinking?
Do you drink throughout the day?
After drinking heavily, has your thinking been fuzzy or unclear?
As a result of drinking, have you felt your heart beating rapidly?
Do you almost constantly think about drinking and alcohol?
As a result of drinking, have you heard "things" that were not really there?
Have you had weird and frightening sensations when drinking?
As a result of drinking have you "felt things" crawling on you that were not really there (e.g., bugs, spiders)?
With respect to blackouts (loss of memory):
Have you tried to cut down on your drinking and failed?
Do you gulp drinks (drink quickly?)
After taking one or two drinks, can you usually stop?

Internal Reliability

Test-retest, internal consistency reliability

Validity

Content, criterion, construct validity

Google Scholar

View article on Google Scholar

Terms Of Use

Individuals may use this information for research or educational purposes only and may not use this information for commercial purposes. When using this instrument, please cite: