OCDS

The Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS) is a 14-item self-report measure developed by James Anton to assess obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors related to alcohol use. It draws on the conceptual framework of obsessive-compulsive disorder, with two subscales: obsessive (intrusive thoughts about drinking, cognitive interference) and compulsive (drinking behavior, resistance, and control). Each item is rated on a 0–4 scale, yielding total scores from 0 to 56. The OCDS is used as a secondary endpoint in psychedelic-assisted therapy trials for alcohol use disorder, where it captures craving and preoccupation with drinking — dimensions not measured by consumption-based instruments like the TLFB. Reductions in OCDS scores following psilocybin treatment may indicate changes in the obsessive quality of alcohol craving, potentially mediated by psychedelic-induced insights.