Hr. Kranzler et al., Validity of the obsessive compulsive drinking scale (OCDS): Does craving predict drinking behavior?, ALC CLIN EX, 23(1), 1999, pp. 108-114
Objective: The Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS), a 14-item, self-
report questionnaire, was developed to measure alcohol-related craving. The
OCDS may provide a measure of the state of illness among alcohol-dependent
individuals and may have value in predicting subsequent drinking behavior.
The present study was conducted to evaluate the factor structure and the c
oncurrent, construct, and predictive validity of the OCDS. Methods: Data on
desire to drink and on drinking behavior were obtained from 127 alcohol-de
pendent subjects who participated in a 12-week outpatient pharmacotherapy t
rial and a 3-month posttreatment follow-up. Results: Principal components a
nalysis of the OCDS indicated that three factors best described its structu
re: obsessions, drinking control and consequences, and alcohol consumption.
Data also supported the concurrent and discriminant validity of the OCDS.
However, the OCDS total score showed limited validity in predicting drinkin
g during a posttreatment follow-up period. Furthermore, the only empiricall
y derived factor that predicted drinking during this period was the alcohol
consumption factor. Conclusions: As might be expected, the OCDS questions
on drinking behavior predict subsequent drinking behavior, However, the ins
trument does not appear to provide a general measure of alcohol-related ill
ness. The utility of the OCDS in studies of alcoholism treatment outcome re
quires clearer definition.