Overview:

Decision making was conceptualized by Janis and Mann (1977) as a decisional "balance sheet" of comparative potential gains and losses. Two components of decisional balance, the pros and the cons, have become critical constructs in the transtheoretical model. The balance between the pros and cons varies depending on the individual’s stage of change. The Alcohol Decisional Balance scale is a 20-item self-report measure that assesses an individual’s pros and cons of drinking alcohol.

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Alcohol Decisional Balance Scale-20 item scale Client ID#_________________

Date: ______/______/______

Assessment Point: _____________

The following statements may play a part in making a decision about using alcohol. We would like to know how important each statement is to you at the present time in relation to making a decision about your using alcohol. Please rate the level of importance to each statement on the following 5 point SCALE :

1=Not important at all

2=Slightly important

3=Moderately important

4=Very important

5=Extremely important

Please read each statement and circle the number on the right to indicate how you rate its level of importance as it relates to your making a decision about whether to drink at the present time.

How important is this to me?	Importance in making a decision about drinking:
	Not at all	Slightly	Moderately	Very	Extremely
1) My drinking causes problems with others.	1	2	3	4	5
2) I like myself better when I am drinking.	1	2	3	4	5
3) Because I continue to drink some people think I lack the character to quit.	1	2	3	4	5
4) Drinking helps me deal with problems.	1	2	3	4	5
5) Having to lie to others about my drinking bothers me.	1	2	3	4	5
6) Some people try to avoid me when I drink.	1	2	3	4	5
7) Drinking helps me to have fun and socialize.	1	2	3	4	5
8) Drinking interferes with my functioning at home or/and at work.	1	2	3	4	5
9) Drinking makes me more of a fun person.	1	2	3	4	5
10) Some people close to me are disappointed in me because of my drinking.	1	2	3	4	5

How important is this to me?	Importance in making a decision about drinking:
	Not at all	Slightly	Moderately	Very	Extremely
11) Drinking helps me to loosen up and express myself.	1	2	3	4	5
12) I seem to get myself into trouble when drinking.	1	2	3	4	5
13) I could accidentally hurt someone because of my drinking.	1	2	3	4	5
14) Not drinking at a social gathering would make me feel too different.	1	2	3	4	5
15) I am losing the trust and respect of my coworkers and/or spouse because of my drinking.	1	2	3	4	5
16) My drinking helps give me energy and keeps me going.	1	2	3	4	5
17) I am more sure of myself when I am drinking.	1	2	3	4	5
18) I am setting a bad example for others with my drinking.	1	2	3	4	5
19) Without alcohol, my life would be dull and boring.	1	2	3	4	5
20) People seem to like me better when I am drinking.	1	2	3	4	5

Scoring Instructions

Decisional Balance Scale – 20-item alcohol version

Pros of Drinking

Cons of Drinking

2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20

1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 18

To get the average number of Pros endorsed, add up the total number of points from the items and divide by 10. Example: Pros of Drinking = Sum of items (2+4+7+9+11+14+16+17+19+20)

To get the average number of Cons endorsed, add up the total number of points from the items and divide by 10. Example: Cons of Drinking = Sum of items (1+3+5+6+8+10+12+13+15+18)

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Alcohol Decisional Balance Scale-22 items scale Client ID#_________________

Date: ______/______/______

Assessment Point: _____________

1=Not important at all

2=Slightly important

3=Moderately important

4=Very important

5=Extremely important

Please read each statement and circle the number on the right to indicate how you rate its level of importance as it relates to your making a decision about whether to drink at the present time.

How important is this to you?	Importance in making a decision about drinking:
	Not at all	Slightly	Moderately	Very	Extremely
1) I don’t worry about things as much as when I drink.	1	2	3	4	5
2) Drinking helps me feel more comfortable around other people.	1	2	3	4	5
3) My drinking causes problems with others.	1	2	3	4	5
4) I like myself better when I am drinking.	1	2	3	4	5
5) When I’m drinking, I feel like I can do anything.	1	2	3	4	5
6) Drinking helps me deal with problems.	1	2	3	4	5
7) Having to lie to others about my drinking bothers me.	1	2	3	4	5
8) Drinking is bad for my physical health.	1	2	3	4	5
9) Some people try to avoid me when I drink.	1	2	3	4	5
10) I could get into trouble with the police because of my drinking.	1	2	3	4	5

How important is this to me?	Importance in making a decision about drinking:
	Not at all	Slightly	Moderately	Very	Extremely
11) Because of my drinking, I could have to be rehospitalized.	1	2	3	4	5
12) Drinking has a bad effect on my medications.	1	2	3	4	5
13) I seem to get myself into trouble when drinking.	1	2	3	4	5
14) Drinking makes me feel less lonely.	1	2	3	4	5
15) I could accidentally hurt someone because of my drinking.	1	2	3	4	5
16) Drinking makes my mental illness worse.	1	2	3	4	5
17) Not drinking at a social gathering would make me feel too different.	1	2	3	4	5
18) My drinking helps give me energy and keeps me going.	1	2	3	4	5
19) I am more sure of myself when I am drinking.	1	2	3	4	5
20) I make bad decisions when I drink.	1	2	3	4	5
21) Without alcohol, my life would be dull and boring.	1	2	3	4	5
22) People seem to like me better when I am drinking.	1	2	3	4	5

References

Fava, JL, Velicer, WF, & Prochaska, JO. (1995). Applying the transtheoretical model to a representative sample of smokers. Addictive Behaviors, 20, 189-203.

Laforge, RG, Maddock, JE, & Rossi, JS. (1999). Replication of the temptations and decisional balance instruments for heavy, episodic drinking on an adult sample. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 21,S67 (Abstract).

Velicer, WF, DiClemente, CC, Prochaska, JO, & Brandenburg, N. (1985). Decisional balance measure for assessing and predicting smoking status. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48, 1279-1289.