Addiction Scales and Questionnaires: Reliable Tools for Assessment
- priyankabedi10
- Feb 12
- 3 min read
What is Addiction?
Addiction is a chronic, relapsing condition where individuals engage compulsively in behaviors or substance use despite negative consequences. It affects brain function, decision-making, and daily life, often leading to dependence on alcohol, drugs, gambling, internet use, or even food.
Why Measure Addiction?
Assessing addiction is crucial for:
✔ Early detection and prevention
✔ Understanding addiction severity and dependence levels
✔ Evaluating treatment effectiveness
✔ Conducting addiction-related research
To achieve this, researchers and clinicians use validated addiction scales and questionnaires that measure different types of addiction, including substance use disorders and behavioral addictions.
Top Addiction Assessment Scales
1. Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS)
Purpose: Measures psychological dependence on substances
Developed by: Gossop et al. (1995)
Number of Items: 5
Scoring: Higher scores indicate greater substance dependence
Use Case: Useful for assessing dependence on opioids, cannabis, and other drugs
🔹 Why Use It?
The SDS is a short, widely used tool in both clinical and research settings to gauge addiction severity.
2. The Leeds Dependence Questionnaire (LDQ)
Purpose: Evaluates the extent of psychological dependence on substances
Developed by: Raistrick et al. (1994)
Number of Items: 10
Scoring: Higher scores indicate stronger dependence
Use Case: Used for measuring alcohol and drug dependence
🔹 Why Use It?
LDQ captures both behavioral and cognitive aspects of addiction, making it a comprehensive assessment tool.
3. Maudsley Addiction Profile (MAP)
Purpose: Assesses addiction severity and tracks treatment outcomes
Developed by: Marsden et al. (1998)
Number of Sections: 4 (Substance use, Health risk, Psychological well-being, Social function)
Scoring: A multidimensional assessment, not a single score
Use Case: Commonly used in rehabilitation and treatment programs
🔹 Why Use It?
MAP provides a holistic view of addiction, making it ideal for long-term monitoring.
4. Readiness to Change Questionnaire (RCQ)
Purpose: Measures an individual's motivation and readiness for addiction recovery
Developed by: Rollnick et al. (1992)
Number of Items: 12
Scoring: Categorizes individuals into Pre-contemplation, Contemplation, or Action stages
Use Case: Helps in designing personalized intervention programs
🔹 Why Use It?
RCQ is widely used in motivational interviewing to help individuals progress toward recovery.
5. The Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES)
(Includes Personal Drinking Questionnaire & Personal Drug Use Questionnaire)
Purpose: Assesses readiness to change problematic substance use
Developed by: Miller & Tonigan (1996)
Number of Items: 19
Scoring: Measures Recognition, Ambivalence, and Taking Steps toward change
Use Case: Helps clinicians tailor interventions based on an individual’s readiness for treatment
🔹 Why Use It?
SOCRATES is valuable for addiction counseling and recovery planning.
6. Internet Addiction Test (IAT)
Purpose: Assesses problematic internet use and digital dependency
Developed by: Dr. Kimberly Young (1998)
Number of Items: 20
Scoring:
20-49 = Normal Internet Use
50-79 = Moderate Internet Addiction
80-100 = Severe Internet Addiction
Use Case: Used for diagnosing internet addiction, social media dependency, and gaming addiction
🔹 Why Use It?
With the rise of excessive screen time, social media addiction, and online gaming disorders, IAT is a widely used tool in digital addiction research.
How to Choose the Right Addiction Scale?
When selecting an addiction questionnaire, consider:
✅ Purpose: Screening, diagnosis, or treatment evaluation
✅ Type of addiction: Substance-based vs. behavioral addiction
✅ Target population: Adolescents, adults, clinical vs. general population
✅ Time efficiency: Short vs. long versions
Best Practices for Using Addiction Questionnaires
📌 Use multiple scales for comprehensive assessment
📌 Ensure ethical considerations (informed consent, confidentiality)
📌 Interpret scores in a clinical or research context
📌 Adapt tools for cultural and demographic relevance
Accurate addiction assessment is essential for effective treatment, research, and prevention. Using standardized tools like SDS, LDQ, MAP, SOCRATES, and IAT, researchers and clinicians can measure addiction severity, treatment readiness, and behavioral patterns.
📥 Need access to addiction assessment tools? Download free resources here!
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