Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale, OCDS Test - the question form
Questions: 14 · 3 minutes
1. During periods when you were not drinking, how much time was occupied by alcohol-related ideas, thoughts, urges, or images?
None
Less than 1 hour per day
1–3 hours per day
4–8 hours per day
More than 8 hours per day
2. How often did you have these thoughts?
Never
No more than 8 times a day
More than 8 times a day, but most of the day was free of these thoughts
More than 8 times a day; they occupied most of the day
Constant thoughts; almost no hour went by without them
3. To what extent have these ideas, thoughts, urges, or images about drinking interfered with your social life, work, or normal functioning? Have you ever not done something or been unable to do something because of them? (If you are not currently working, to what extent would your work performance be affected by these thoughts if you were working?)
Thoughts about drinking never interfered; I could function normally.
Thoughts about drinking slightly affected my social or work activities, but overall my functioning was not disrupted.
Thoughts about drinking definitely affected my social or work activities, but I was still able to keep the situation under control.
Thoughts about drinking significantly interfered with my social and work functioning.
Thoughts about drinking completely disrupted my social and work functioning.
4. How much distress or anxiety did these alcohol-related ideas, thoughts, urges, or images cause you when you were not drinking?
None
Slight; not often; not particularly distressing
Moderate; fairly often; caused distress, but I could control myself
Marked; very often; caused severe distress
Extreme; almost constant; prevented normal functioning
5. How much effort did you make to resist these thoughts, ignore them, or distract yourself from them when you were not drinking alcohol? (Rate the effort you made, whether or not it was successful.)
I had very few such thoughts, so there was no need to actively resist them. If they occurred, I always tried to resist them
I tried to resist them most of the time
I made some attempts to resist them
I gave in without trying to resist these thoughts, but with some hesitation
I completely and willingly gave in to these thoughts
6. How successfully were you able to stop yourself from thinking about alcohol or to distract yourself from alcohol-related thoughts when you were sober (not drinking)?
I was easily able to stop myself from thinking about alcohol or to distract myself from these thoughts
I was usually able to stop myself from thinking about alcohol or to distract myself from these thoughts if I made a definite effort and concentrated
I was sometimes able to stop myself from thinking about alcohol or to distract myself from these thoughts
I was rarely able to stop myself from thinking about alcohol; it was difficult for me to distract myself from these thoughts
I was rarely able to distract myself from these thoughts even for a moment
7. How many standard drinks did you consume per day?
Did not drink at all
Less than 1 drink per day
1–2 drinks per day
3–7 drinks per day
8 or more drinks per day
8. On how many days per week did you drink alcohol?
Did not drink at all
No more than 1 day per week
2–3 days per week
4–5 days per week
6–7 days per week
9. To what extent has your drinking interfered with your work or professional functioning? Have there been times when you did not do something, or could not do something, because of your drinking? (If you are not currently working, to what extent would your drinking interfere with your work/professional functioning if you were working?)
My drinking has never interfered; I could function normally
My drinking had a slight effect on my work/professional functioning, but overall my functioning was not impaired
My drinking definitely had a negative effect on my work/professional functioning, but I could still manage my work
My drinking substantially disrupted my work/professional functioning
My drinking completely disrupted my work/professional functioning
10. How much has your drinking interfered with your social life? Have there been things you did not do, or could not do, because of drinking?
My drinking has never interfered—I was able to function normally in social situations.
My drinking affected my social life slightly, but overall my activities were not disrupted.
My drinking definitely had a negative effect on my social life, but I was still able to cope.
My drinking significantly interfered with my social life.
My drinking completely disrupted my social life.
11. If you were prevented from drinking alcohol when you wanted to, how much anxiety and irritation would it cause you?
I would not feel anxious or irritated
It would cause mild anxiety and irritation
It would cause anxiety and irritation, but I would be able to cope with it
I would feel considerable anxiety or irritation that would seriously interfere with me
I would feel extremely anxious and irritated
12. How much effort did you have to make to resist drinking alcohol? (Rate the strength of your efforts, regardless of whether they were successful.)
I drank very little alcohol; there was no need to actively resist. If I did drink, I always tried to resist.
I tried to resist in most situations.
I made some attempts to resist.
I almost always gave in without trying to control my drinking, but I did so with some hesitation.
I always fully and willingly gave myself over to drinking.
13. How strong was your urge to drink alcohol?
I had no urge
I had a slight urge to drink alcohol
I had a strong urge to drink alcohol
I had a very strong urge to drink alcohol
My urge to drink alcohol was completely irresistible
14. How well were you able to control your drinking?
I had complete control.
I was usually able to exert conscious control over my drinking.
I had difficulty controlling my drinking.
I could not avoid drinking and could delay drinking only with difficulty.
I was rarely able to delay drinking, even for a short time.