The Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS) is a tool used to assess the severity of alcohol dependence.
Alcohol Dependence Test
- Have you ever had a period of time when you drank more or longer than you intended to?
a. Never (0 points)
b. Rarely (1 point)
c. Sometimes (2 points)
d. Often (3 points)
e. Almost always (4 points) - Have you ever felt a strong desire or urge to drink?
a. Never (0 points)
b. Rarely (1 point)
c. Sometimes (2 points)
d. Often (3 points)
e. Almost always (4 points) - Have you ever found that you needed to drink more to get the desired effect?
a. Never (0 points)
b. Rarely (1 point)
c. Sometimes (2 points)
d. Often (3 points)
e. Almost always (4 points) - Have you ever had withdrawal symptoms (such as tremors, sweating, or nausea) when the effects of alcohol were wearing off?
a. Never (0 points)
b. Rarely (1 point)
c. Sometimes (2 points)
d. Often (3 points)
e. Almost always (4 points) - Have you ever had to drink in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?
a. Never (0 points)
b. Rarely (1 point)
c. Sometimes (2 points)
d. Often (3 points)
e. Almost always (4 points) - Have you ever felt guilty or remorseful about your drinking?
a. Never (0 points)
b. Rarely (1 point)
c. Sometimes (2 points)
d. Often (3 points)
e. Almost always (4 points) - Have you ever had problems with family, friends, or at work or school as a result of your drinking?
a. Never (0 points)
b. Rarely (1 point)
c. Sometimes (2 points)
d. Often (3 points)
e. Almost always (4 points) - Have you ever lost a job or gotten into trouble with the law as a result of your drinking?
a. Never (0 points)
b. Rarely (1 point)
c. Sometimes (2 points)
d. Often (3 points)
e. Almost always (4 points) - Have you ever given up important social, occupational, or recreational activities as a result of your drinking?
a. Never (0 points)
b. Rarely (1 point)
c. Sometimes (2 points)
d. Often (3 points)
e. Almost always (4 points) - Have you ever continued to drink despite knowing it was causing physical or psychological problems?
a. Never (0 points)
b. Rarely (1 point)
c. Sometimes (2 points) - Have you ever felt the need to cut down on your drinking?
a. Never (0 points)
b. Rarely (1 point)
c. Sometimes (2 points)
d. Often (3 points)
e. Almost always (4 points) - Have you ever felt annoyed when someone criticized your drinking?
a. Never (0 points)
b. Rarely (1 point)
c. Sometimes (2 points)
d. Often (3 points)
e. Almost always (4 points) - Have you ever felt guilty after drinking?
a. Never (0 points)
b. Rarely (1 point)
c. Sometimes (2 points)
d. Often (3 points)
e. Almost always (4 points) - Have you ever had a blackout after drinking?
a. Never (0 points)
b. Rarely (1 point)
c. Sometimes (2 points)
d. Often (3 points)
e. Almost always (4 points) - Have you ever lost control over how much you drink?
a. Never (0 points)
b. Rarely (1 point)
c. Sometimes (2 points)
d. Often (3 points)
e. Almost always (4 points)
Score calculation: The Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS)
Add up the scores for each question.
- Add up the scores for each question.
- A score of 0-5 indicates minimal alcohol dependence, a score of 6-10 indicates mild alcohol dependence, a score of 11-15 indicates moderate alcohol dependence, and a score of 16 or more indicates severe alcohol dependence.
Conclusion:
A measure of alcoholism’s intensity, the Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS) may be administered to test takers. It’s a 15-question assessment of one’s drinking patterns, social interactions, and outcomes when one drinks too much. The exam may be utilised in a number of contexts and is meant to be fast and simple to administer. The test results may serve as a starting point for gauging one’s alcohol consumption from which further improvement can be tracked. A score cannot be used to diagnose alcoholism, though. A comprehensive clinical evaluation and interview by a healthcare expert is still necessary for an accurate diagnosis to be made. A better treatment result is possible when alcohol use disorders are diagnosed and treated early on, before they progress to a more severe form. If you think you may be suffering from an alcohol use problem, it’s important to get assistance.
Also Read: Substance Abuse Questionnaire – CAGE questionnaire