TABLE 1.2. The problem drinking scale (PDS) compared with other scales for diagnosing alcoholism.
(from Vaillant, George E. (1995): The natural history of alcoholism revisited. Cambridge Mass.: Harvard University Press.)
| Problem (all items weighted equally) |
Frequency in Core City sample (n = 397±3) ( |
| Employer complains |
11% |
| Multiple job losses |
8 |
| Family/friends complain |
34 |
| Marital problems |
21 |
| Medical problem |
19 |
| Multiple medical problems |
5 |
| Diagnosis by clinician |
11 |
| Alcohol-related arrest |
28 |
| 3 + alcohol-related arrests |
14 |
| Single hospital, clinic, or AA visit |
14 |
| 34- visits to clinics |
7 |
| 2 4- blackouts |
23 |
| Going on wagon |
25 |
| Morning tremulousness/drinking |
20 |
| Tardiness or sick leave |
13 |
| Admits problem with control |
23 |