FURTHER VALIDATION OF THE OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DRINKING SCALE (OCDS) - RELATIONSHIP TO ALCOHOLISM SEVERITY

The authors administer mtbe Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS) , a self-rated questionnaire that quantifies some cognitive and behavi oral dimensions of ''craving'' for alcohol to 124 alcohol-dependent su bjects in three pharmacological treatment studies, The OCDS total scor es had significant correlations with both the Alcohol Dependence Scale (r=0.42 P<0.001 and the alcohol subscale of the Addiction Severity, I ndex (r=0.44; P<0.0001). Previous alcoholism treatment was associated with, higher OCDS Total and Obsessive subscale scores. These data supp ort the congruent validity of the OCDS with previously well establishe d measures of alcohol dependence severity and suggest that this measur ement of craving may help in formulating appropriate treatment plans f or alcoholic patients.