Drug Avoidance Self-Efficacy Scale (DASES)

Abstract

The Drug Avoidance Self-Efficacy Scale (DASES) is a specialized psychometric instrument designed to measure an individual’s confidence in their ability to resist the use of drugs and alcohol across various high-risk situations. Rooted in Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory, the scale assesses situation-specific self-efficacy expectations regarding abstinence. It is widely utilized in clinical settings, particularly for treatment planning and evaluating outcomes in relapse prevention programs for individuals recovering from substance use disorders. The DASES presents respondents with various challenging scenarios involving emotional distress, social pressure, and internal temptation, requiring them to rate their certainty of avoidance.

Keywords

Drug Avoidance Self-Efficacy Scale, DASES, self-efficacy, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, relapse prevention, alcohol abuse, drug dependency, psychometrics

Authors

Garth W. Martin, D.A. Wilkinson, C.X. Poulos

Purpose

The primary purpose of the DASES is to provide a quantitative measure of self-efficacy specific to resisting substance use. This measurement is crucial for clinicians and researchers as low self-efficacy is a significant predictor of relapse among individuals attempting to maintain sobriety. By identifying situations in which a patient feels least confident (e.g., dealing with negative affect or social pressure), treatment can be tailored to bolster coping mechanisms in those specific domains.

The scale serves as a diagnostic tool for assessing the psychological readiness for abstinence and tracking changes in perceived competence over the course of treatment. It operationalizes the theoretical concept of avoidance self-efficacy by presenting a range of common, real-world trigger scenarios that challenge a person’s commitment to avoiding drugs and alcohol.

Construct

The DASES measures the construct of Avoidance Self-Efficacy, which is defined as an individual’s belief in their capacity to successfully execute the behaviors required to avoid drug or alcohol consumption, even when confronted by high-risk situations or internal urges. This construct is derived directly from Bandura’s theory, emphasizing that perceived self-efficacy is a powerful determinant of behavioral initiation and persistence.

The items of the DASES are designed to cover three major categories of high-risk situations commonly associated with relapse: 1) Negative Affective States (e.g., depression, anger, boredom); 2) Social Pressure and Positive Affective States (e.g., parties, celebrations, peer urging); and 3) Withdrawal and Testing of Limits (e.g., urges, craving, or having experienced a minor lapse). A higher score on the scale indicates greater confidence in one’s ability to remain abstinent across these diverse challenging contexts.

Validity

Research examining the DASES has generally demonstrated robust validity, particularly in its ability to predict future behavior. Predictive validity is supported by findings that scores on the DASES correlate inversely with subsequent drug or alcohol use frequency and are predictive of treatment retention and long-term abstinence success. Individuals with higher initial DASES scores are statistically less likely to experience a relapse following treatment.

The scale exhibits good concurrent validity, correlating significantly with other measures of substance use severity and general self-efficacy. Furthermore, the content validity is high, as the 16 scenarios were developed based on extensive clinical observation of common relapse triggers defined within cognitive-behavioral models of substance abuse treatment.

Reliability

The DASES is recognized for its strong internal consistency. Studies typically report high reliability coefficients, with Cronbach’s alpha values commonly exceeding 0.90, indicating that the items reliably measure a unified underlying construct of drug avoidance confidence. Test-retest reliability has also been established, suggesting that the scale provides stable measures of self-efficacy over time, barring significant clinical interventions or major life events.

Factor Analysis

Initial factor analysis of the DASES often suggests a multi-dimensional structure, although it is typically treated as a unidimensional measure of overall avoidance self-efficacy for clinical purposes. When multiple factors are extracted, they commonly align with the theoretical high-risk categories: Negative Emotional States, Social and Situational Pressure, and Temptation/Testing Boundaries. These factors highlight the specific domains where an individual’s confidence may be strongest or weakest, allowing for targeted therapeutic interventions.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report Questionnaire/Psychological Scale

Format: 16 items utilizing a 7-point Likert-type scale.

Language Available: English (Original), translations likely exist given its widespread use.

Population Group: Individuals with substance use disorders, particularly those in or entering recovery programs.

Age Group: Adolescents and Adults (typically 18+ for research, though applicable to older adolescents).

Population Details: Originally validated on samples of individuals undergoing treatment for alcohol and/or drug dependency.

Test Methodology: Respondents rate their certainty of avoiding drug/alcohol use in each described scenario using the following scale: 1=certainly yes (low avoidance confidence); 2=probably yes; 3=likely yes; 4=can’t say; 5=probably no; 6=likely no; 7=certainly no (high avoidance confidence).

Keywords

self-efficacy scale, addiction research, drug dependency, psychometric assessment, confidence, alcohol avoidance, measure of competence, clinical psychology

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source content.

Affiliation Email addresses: [email protected] (Garth W. Martin)

Correspondence Address: Not provided in source content.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The DASES was developed by G.W. Martin in 1992, with the definitive publication detailing its psychometric properties appearing in 1995. The instrument is widely accessible for research and clinical use. The original PDF of the instrument can be downloaded here: http://www.nd.gov.hk/pdf/bdf-2010R2-q03-eng.pdf. Further information is available via the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) at: http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/html.cfm/index3618EN.html.

Reference’s

• Martin‚ G. W. (1992). (Initial development of the scale).

• Martin‚ G.W.‚ Wilkinson‚ D.A.‚ & Poulos‚ C.X. (1995). The drug avoidance self-efficacy scale. Journal of Substance Abuse‚ 7(2)‚ 151-163.

Items of the Drug Avoidance Self-Efficacy Scale (DASES)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

1. Imagine that you are going to a party where you will meet new people. You feel that drug/alcohol use will relax you and make you more confident. Could you avoid drug/alcohol use?

2. Imagine that you have just blown a good job‚ you are home alone and depressed. Would you give in to the urge to take drugs/alcohol which are in the house?

3. Imagine that you are home with a loved one‚ and feeling angry after a fight. You want to make up‚ but at the same time you want to get stoned/loaded. Could you resist the urge to take drugs/alcohol?

4. Imagine that you are feeling good and have no responsibilities for a couple of days. The only thing you see against getting a bit stoned/loaded is that you have promised yourself you would go straight for 2 months‚ and you still have 3 weeks to go. Would you take drugs/alcohol?

5. Imagine it is late‚ you cannot sleep and drugs/alcohol are available in the house. You have decided not to use drugs. Could you resist the urge to use drugs to help you get to sleep?

6. Imagine that a new job is starting tomorrow; you are going out with friends and expecting a good time. Could you resist the urge to celebrate with drugs/alcohol?

7. Imagine that you are home with your loved one‚ and very angry after a fight. You are tempted to get back at your partner by getting stoned/loaded. Would you give in to the temptation?

8. Imagine that a very important relationship has just ended‚ and you are very depressed. Would you give in to the urge to take drugs/alcohol’?

9. Imagine that you have run into 2 friends who are celebrating a $100 lottery win with drugs/alcohol. Could you resist their urging to join them in drug/alcohol use?

10. Imagine that you have run into 2 friends who are celebrating a win at horse racing with drugs. Could you resist their urging to join them in drug use?

11. Imagine that you are at a party and feeling uptight. Most people seem to be ha‎ving a good time. You are tempted to use drugs/alcohol to loosen up. Would you?

12. Imagine that you promised yourself to stay straight for 2 months but you have just blown your 5 week record with one hit or drink. Would this situation lead you to take a second one?

13. Imagine that you had managed to stay straight for a near record time‚ but last night you blew it. Because of last night you are feeling weak. Would you take drugs/alcohol tonight?

14. Imagine that you are home alone and depressed. Could you resist the urge to go out and find some drugs/alcohol?

15. Imagine that a good friend has accused you of being insensitive. Now you are feeling hurt and tempted to use drugs/alcohol. Could you resist?

16. Imagine that a good friend is feeling miserable. He wants you to join him in heavy discussion and drug/alcohol use to pick his spirits up. Could you resist the urge to take drugs/alcohol?

17. Imagine that you are home alone; it is a dull weekend with nothing in particular to look forward to. You are bored. Would you give in to the urge to get stoned/loaded?