VALIDATION OF THE AMPHETAMINE DEPENDENCE SYNDROME AND THE SAMDQ

The Severity of Amphetamine Dependence Questionnaire (SAmDQ) was admin istered to 132 subjects who were amphetamine dependent by DSM-III-R cr iteria. The structural characteristics of the questionnaire were exami ned and findings compared with those reported previously for both the SAmDQ and its forebear, the SODQ. There was a high degree of consisten cy in the present psychometric analyses and those reported earlier; an d comparisons between samples of differing dependence severities indic ated that the SAmDQ is capable of discriminating between these groups. The findings support the existence of an amphetamine dependence syndr ome, and help to explicate the dimensions underlying such a syndrome a nd the characteristics of the population in which it may be manifest.