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. 1990;15(5):487-90.
doi: 10.1016/0306-4603(90)90036-w.

The development of a Short Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS)

M Gossop  1
Affiliations

The development of a Short Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS)

M Gossop. Addict Behav. 1990.

Abstract

In previous studies a 32-item Opiate Withdrawal Scale was found to provide a reliable and valid means of measuring the signs and symptoms of withdrawal among heroin (and other opiate) addicts. This paper describes the processes whereby a shorter 10-item version of the same scale was developed. The Short Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS) is simple to understand and easy to administer, and it avoids the redundancy of items contained in the original scale. It is suggested that the SOWS provide a useful instrument which can be used both in research and clinical practice with opiate addicts.

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