Psychometric properties and validity of the Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale

Abstinent alcoholics' self-reports of distressing alcohol-associated thoughts and compulsions to drink were evaluated by the Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses on separate subject samples revealed that subjects' OCDS responses were best described by four correlated dimensions: alcohol obsessions, alcohol consumption, automaticity, and interference due to drinking. The validity of this four-factor solution was supported by the pattern of associations with drinking and coping style measures. In particular, alcohol obsessions were positively associated with alcohol dependence and use of passive/avoidant coping. Automaticity was positively associated with the intensity and salience of drinking, and inversely associated with use of active/approach coping, as well as abstinence duration. The obsession and automaticity subscales of the OCDS may be useful in evaluating cognitive-motivational processes associated with recovery from alcoholism.