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 perceived competence in resisting the urge to use drugs and alcohol across a variety of high-risk situations. Developed by G. W. Martin in 1992, the scale utilizes situational vignettes to assess self-efficacy, a core construct critical for predicting maintenance of sobriety and potential relapse following treatment for substance use disorders. Scores derived from the DASES are highly valuable in clinical settings for tailoring treatment plans and focusing on specific behavioral coping strategies.

Keywords

Drug Avoidance Self-Efficacy Scale, DASES, Self-Efficacy, Substance Abuse, Addiction, Alcoholism, Relapse Prevention, Drug Dependence, Clinical Assessment.

Authors

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

Purpose

The primary purpose of the DASES is to quantitatively assess the degree of confidence, or self-efficacy, an individual possesses regarding their capability to abstain from psychoactive substance use across challenging social, emotional, and physiological states. This measurement is crucial because low self-efficacy in specific contexts is a powerful predictor of subsequent substance use.

The scale helps clinicians and researchers identify specific high-risk contexts—such as situations involving negative emotional states (e.g., depression, anger), social pressure, or positive celebratory moods—where an individual’s confidence in maintaining sobriety is weakest. By isolating these vulnerabilities, intervention strategies can be precisely targeted, improving the effectiveness of substance abuse treatment programs and enhancing relapse prevention efforts.

Construct

The DASES measures the construct of Self-Efficacy, as conceptualized within Social Cognitive Theory. Specifically, it assesses avoidance self-efficacy—the belief in one’s capacity to successfully navigate situations that previously led to substance use without resorting to drugs or alcohol. This construct is fundamental in addiction recovery models.

The instrument is built upon the understanding that an individual’s beliefs about their ability to execute a course of action (i.e., avoiding substances) determine their effort, persistence, and ultimate success, particularly when faced with powerful internal or external cues that trigger the urge to use. The situational format of the DASES ensures that self-efficacy is measured not globally, but contextually, reflecting the nuanced nature of relapse risk.

Validity

Based on the foundational psychometric work by Martin, Wilkinson, and Poulos (1995), the DASES demonstrated strong evidence of concurrent and predictive validity. High scores on the DASES were found to be inversely correlated with self-reported drug use frequency and severity, confirming that greater avoidance confidence predicts lower substance usage in recovered populations.

Furthermore, the scale is often utilized to predict treatment outcomes. Studies have consistently shown that individuals who report higher initial self-efficacy scores upon entering or completing treatment are significantly more likely to maintain sustained abstinence compared to those with lower scores. This predictive power highlights the clinical utility of the DASES as a reliable indicator of recovery prognosis in substance abuse populations.

Reliability

The DASES has demonstrated robust internal consistency, which is crucial for a multi-item scale designed to measure a single underlying construct. Internal consistency, typically measured using Cronbach’s alpha, often yields high coefficients, frequently exceeding 0.90 in clinical samples. This high homogeneity ensures that all 16 items reliably measure the same core concept: drug avoidance confidence.

In addition to internal consistency, test-retest reliability has generally been found to be strong, indicating the temporal stability of the self-efficacy construct measured by the scale. This suggests that the DASES provides stable and consistent results when administered to individuals in stable phases of their recovery journey.

Factor Analysis

Psychometric investigation, particularly factor analysis conducted during the scale’s validation (Martin et al., 1995), often supports a multi-dimensional structure rather than a purely unitary construct. The situational vignettes typically cluster into distinct factors that reflect different categories of high-risk situations.

Common factors identified include situations related to Negative Affective States (e.g., depression, anger, stress), Social/Environmental Pressure (e.g., parties, friends urging use), and Positive Emotional States/Testing Control (e.g., celebrating, feeling good but testing limits). Understanding these underlying factors allows clinicians to tailor cognitive-behavioral interventions to address the specific situational vulnerabilities identified by the patient’s scores.

Instrument

Test Type: Psychometric Self-Report Scale

Format: 16 situational vignettes requiring a response on a 7-point Likert scale.

Language Available: English (Primary)

Population Group: Clinical and non-clinical populations, particularly individuals with substance use disorders or those engaged in recovery and relapse prevention programs.

Age Group: Adults (typically 18+)

Population Details: Used extensively in research and clinical settings for monitoring treatment progress, assessing risk, and identifying specific high-risk situations for individual patients.

Test Methodology: Respondents are asked to imagine themselves in specific high-risk scenarios and rate their confidence in avoiding drug/alcohol use using a 7-point scale where 1 signifies certainly yes (will use) and 7 signifies certainly no (will avoid).

Keywords

Self-Efficacy, Addiction Treatment, Drug Dependence, Alcohol Avoidance, Clinical Assessment, Psychometrics, Situational Vignettes.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not specified in source.

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

Correspondence Address: Not specified in source.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Drug Avoidance Self-Efficacy Scale (DASES) was initially developed by G. W. Martin in 1992. The primary validation and psychometric analysis were published in 1995 (Martin, Wilkinson, & Poulos). Information regarding permissions for commercial use or associated fees should be directed to the corresponding author, G. W. Martin. The instrument is frequently used in academic and clinical research settings.

Reference’s

Martin, G. W. (1992). [Source of initial scale development].

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

The original PDF instrument can be downloaded here: http://www.nd.gov.hk/pdf/bdf-2010R2-q03-eng.pdf

The instrument is also referenced by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) at: http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/html.cfm/index3618EN.html

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?

9. 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?

10. 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?

11. 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?

12. 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?

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

14. 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?

15. 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?

16. 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?

Scoring Key: 1=certainly yes; 2=probably yes; 3=likely yes; 4=can’t say; 5=probably no; 6=likely no; 7=certainly no. (Note: Higher scores indicate greater self-efficacy/avoidance confidence.)