A rating scale for alcoholic denial

Denial of alcoholism is a serious obstacle to the successful treatment of an alcoholic. If clinicians can conceptualize and focus on this denial, they may be able to make more effective interventions with alcoholics. Denial in alcoholism, as in other illnesses such as cancer and heart disease, may encompass denial of the entire illness or only denial of some aspect, such as the loss of control over alcohol consumption. The Denial Rating Scale (DRS) has been developed to aid in the identification of denial of alcoholism, as well as to help specify which aspect of alcoholism is being denied. The present report describes the DRS and presents early reliability and validity data in support of its use. Preliminary interrater reliability is adequate, and construct and predictive validity appear promising. Several case studies were included to demonstrate the use of the scale.