Leeds dependence questionnaire: New data from a large sample of clinic attenders

The main aim of this study was to examine psychometric properties of the Le eds Dependence Questionnaire (LDQ) in a different and larger sample from th at on which the instrument was developed. Data were taken from routine inta ke assessments (n=1681) of referrals to two UK addiction treatment services during an 18 month period. Principal components analyses for the total sam ple and for three substance category subsamples (alcohol, opioids, "other d rugs") each yielded a single, major component on which all LDQ items loaded highly and positively. The LDQ had high internal consistency in the total sample and in the substance category subsamples. In a multiple regression a nalysis in the total sample, age (younger), gender (male), higher score on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and substance category (opioid or ot her drugs vs. alcohol) were independent predictors of higher LDQ scores. Th e LDQ was shown to give a robust and psychometrically sound measurement of a general factor of dependence across a range of psychoactive substances am ong attenders at addiction treatment services. Norms are presented to enabl e clinicians to compare levels of alcohol or opioid dependence shown by ind ividual clients presenting for treatment with those obtained from a large s ample of clinic attenders.