If you use alcohol or other drugs at
least weekly, complete this short
questionnaire to determine your
dependence.
Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS)
These questions make up the Severity of Dependence Scale that
assesses level of dependence. Tick the appropriate response and add
up your score out of 15.
In the last three months:
1 Did you ever think your use
4 Did you wish you could
was out of control?
stop?
Never or almost never
0
Never or almost never
0
Sometimes
1
Sometimes
1
Often
2
Often
2
Always or nearly always
3
Always or nearly
3
always
2 Did the prospect of not using
5 How difficult would you
make you very anxious or
find it to stop or go
worried?
without?
Never or almost never
0
Not difficult
0
Sometimes
1
Quite difficult
1
Often
2
Very difficult
2
Always or nearly always
3
Impossible
3
Author: Gossop M, Darke S, Griffiths P, Hando J., Powis B., Hall W, Strang J (1995). The Severity of Dependence Scale
(SDS): psychometric properties of the SDS in English and Australian samples of heroin, cocaine and amphetamine
users. Addiction, 90(5):607-14.
Directions 6132 4800
www.directionsact.com
If you use alcohol or other drugs at
least weekly, complete this short
questionnaire to determine your
dependence.
3 How often did you worry about
SDS Score
your use?
Not at all
0
Dependence
rating
0 - 3 nil or
negligible
A little
1
4 - 6 mild
Quite a lot
2
7 - 9 moderate
A great deal
3
10 - 12 substantial
13 - 15 severe
SDS score _____ / 15, indicating a ______________________ level of
dependence
Author: Gossop M, Darke S, Griffiths P, Hando J., Powis B., Hall W, Strang J (1995). The Severity of Dependence Scale
(SDS): psychometric properties of the SDS in English and Australian samples of heroin, cocaine and amphetamine
users. Addiction, 90(5):607-14.
Directions 6132 4800
www.directionsact.com