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Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS)

Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS) Test

In about 3 minutes, it clarifies how persistent and compelling alcohol-related thoughts and urges feel. Use it to pinpoint cognitive craving and track change over time to guide treatment.

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Questions: 143 minutes

Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

13,657 views

1,102 completions

946 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

12/20

Compulsion (C)

Measures the intensity of compulsive, hard-to-control behaviors directed toward drinking alcohol.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 6: Low | 7 – 13: Moderate | 14 – 20: High

A score of 12 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting noticeable difficulty resisting or stopping drinking-related behaviors at times.

example score

8/20

Obsession (O)

Measures the frequency and intensity of intrusive, hard-to-control thoughts about alcohol use.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 6: Low | 7 – 13: Moderate | 14 – 20: High

A score of 8 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting noticeable intrusive thoughts about alcohol that may be present but not constant.

example score

23/40

Total Score (TS)

Measures the severity of obsessive and compulsive thoughts and urges related to alcohol use.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 13: Low | 14 – 26: Moderate | 27 – 40: High

A score of 23 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a noticeable but not extreme level of intrusive drinking-related thoughts and difficulty resisting urges.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

People tracking cravings

41%OF USERS

Individuals worried about persistent urges to drink use it to see how intrusive thoughts and compulsive pull are affecting their control.

Clients in alcohol therapy

34%OF USERS

People already in counseling or treatment take it to pinpoint what drives their drinking and monitor changes across sessions.

Clinicians screening dependence

25%OF USERS

Therapists and addiction professionals use it to quickly assess cognitive craving intensity and guide personalized treatment planning.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

Scale Results
— Explained Clearly

Your scores across each test scale are translated into plain, usable insights. You won’t just get numbers — you’ll learn how your results impact your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.

AI-Powered
Interpretation

You’ll receive a structured, clinically-grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation, without exaggerated language.

Statistical
Comparison

See how your results compare to others. Anonymized platform data is used to create a percentile scale, which identifies whether your results are typical.

Practical
Recommendations

You’ll receive clear, actionable guidance tailored to your profile. These easy-to-implement suggestions focus on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

AI-Powered
Insights

Get insights on behavioral and thought patterns you might not notice on your own. By uncovering subtle connections between your responses, you’ll better understand what may be driving your current results.

Discuss with
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Clarify, reflect, and explore your results right away. Talk through your experience, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue.

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Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Compulsion (C)

Average

11.4

Normal range

8 — 14.8

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Obsession (O)

Average

5.7

Normal range

3 — 8.4

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Overall Score (OS)

Average

10.7

Normal range

5.5 — 15.8

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this questionnaire measure?

It measures the severity of persistent thoughts about drinking and the strength of urges to drink. It also assesses how difficult these thoughts and urges are to resist.

Who is this questionnaire intended for?

It is intended for adults who have alcohol-related concerns or a history of heavy drinking. It is used in clinical and research settings to support assessment and treatment planning.

How long does it take, and how many items are included?

It takes about 3 minutes to complete. It includes 14 questions.

What time period should be used when answering?

Answer based on the most recent period specified in the instructions on the form. If no time frame is listed, answer based on the past week.

How should the results be used?

Scores are used to monitor changes in craving-related thinking and urges over time and to guide clinical decisions. Results should be interpreted along with interview findings and other clinical information.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS) Test - Symptoms and Signs

alcoholism addiction medicine obsessiveness

In clinical work with alcohol-related concerns, the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS) is a brief self-report measure designed to assess alcohol-related thoughts and urges with obsessive and compulsive features. It is intended to characterize the cognitive and behavioral aspects of craving, including perceived intrusiveness, intensity, and difficulty resisting alcohol-related impulses.

Developed by Myrna M. Weiss and Raymond F. Anton, the instrument consists of 14 items and typically takes about 3 minutes to complete. Scores may be used to support case formulation and to monitor change over time in treatment, with attention to patterns of persistent preoccupation and behavioral drive reflected by the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS).

Author: Myrna M. Weiss, Raymond F. Anton

Literature: Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. Motivational interviewing: Helping people change. Guilford Press. 2013.; Anton, R. F., Moak, D. H., & Latham, P. The Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale: A self-rated instrument for the quantification of thoughts about alcohol and drinking behavior. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. 1995.

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