Substance Abuse: Decisional Balance – Drug and Alcohol Use

How important to you at the present time is each of the following statements. Please rate your level of importance on the following 5 point scale from not important at all (1) to extremely important (5). Your rating should reflect how important each statement is in your decision whether to drink or use drugs at the present time.

If you have not used any drug except alcohol, fill in the column on the right only. If you have used both alcohol and drugs, rate the statements for their importance to your drinking in the column on the right and for your drug use in the column on the left. Please answer every question by placing the appropriate number in the box.

1 = Not Important
2 = Slightly Important
3 = Moderately Important
4 = Very Important
5 = Extremely Important

DrugsDrinking
1.Drinking or taking drugs relaxes me  
2.Drinking or using drugs is bad for my health  
3.I am more pleasant to be around when I’m drinking or taking drugs  
4.My drinking or drug use causes problems with others  
5.I like myself better when I am drinking  
6.I’m foolish to ignore the warnings about the problems caused by alcohol or drugs  
7.Being able to hold your liquor is a tradition in my family  
8.Because I continue to drink or use drugs, some people think I lack the character to quit  
9.Drinking or using drugs helps me deal with problems  
10.I often wake up feeling “hungover” or sick  
11.If I try to stop drinking or using drugs I’ll probably be irritable and a pain to be around  
12.People close to me would suffer if I become ill from drinking or using drugs  
13.By continuing to drink or use drugs I feel I am making my own decisions  
14.Having to lie to others about my drinking or drug use bothers me  
15.I would lose my friends if I stopped drinking or using drugs  
16.Some people try to avoid me when I drink or use drugs  
17.Drinking or using drugs helps me to have fun and socialize  
18.Drinking or drug use interferes with my functioning at home and/or at work  
19.When I drink or use drugs I get less angry and less frustrated with others  
20.I seem to argue and fight more if I’m drinking or using drugs  
21.Drinking or using drugs makes me more of a fun person  
22.I feel like I’m a slave to alcohol or drugs  
23.I feel like one of the gang if I drink or use drugs along with everybody else  
24.Some people close to me are disappointed in me because of my drinking or drug habit  
25.Drinking or using drugs helps me to loosen up and express myself   
26.I seem to get myself into trouble when drinking or using drugs  
27.Things seem to go better at home and at work when I’m drinking or using drugs  
28.I could accidentally hurt someone because of my drinking or drug use  
29.I feel I am in control of my drinking or drug habit  
30.I’m embarrassed that I drink or use drugs too much  
31.Not drinking or not using drugs at a social gathering would make me feel too different  
32.I am losing the trust and respect of my co-workers and/or spouse because of my drinking or drug use   
33.My drinking or drug use helps give me energy and keep going  
34.My drinking or drug use could kill me  
35.I am more sure of myself when I am drinking or using drugs  
36.I am setting a bad example for others with my drinking or drug use  
37.Without alcohol or drugs my life would be boring and dull  
38.My drinking or drug use makes me feel out of control  
39.People seem to like me better when I am drinking or using drugs  
40.My drinking or drug use could land me in trouble with law  
41.My drinking or drug use makes other problems seem less important or problematic  
42.I cannot imagine someone being happy without the use of alcohol or drugs  

Scoring

Pro Subscales
Utility To Self#1, 9, 17, 25, 33, 37
Utility To Others#3, 11, 19, 27
Self-Approval#5, 13, 21, 29, 35
Others Approval#7, 15, 23, 31, 39
Special Items#41, 42
Con Subscales
Utility To Self#2, 10, 18, 26, 34, 38
Utility To Others#4, 12, 20, 28
Self-Approval:#6, 14, 22, 30, 36
Others Approval#8, 16, 24, 32, 40