severity of alcohol dependence questionnaire severity of alcohol dependence questionnaire the severity of alcohol dependence questionnaire (sadq or sad-q) is a 20 item clinical screening tool designed to measure the presence and level of alcohol dependence. it is divided into five sections: physical withdrawal symptoms affective withdrawal symptoms craving and relief drinking typical daily consumption reinstatement of dependence after a period of abstinence. each item is scored on a 4-point scale, giving a possible range of 0 to 60. a score of over 30 indicates severe alcohol dependence. some local clinical guidelines use the sadq to predict the levels of medication needed during alcohol detoxification.