OBJECTIVES: The Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS) is a quantitative measure of the severity of alcohol dependence consistent with the concept of the alcohol dependence syndrome. The 25 items cover alcohol withdrawal symptoms, impaired control over drinking, awareness of a compulsion to drink, increased tolerance to alcohol, and salience of drink-seeking behavior. This study aims to adapt the ADS questionnaire into Turkish culture and check the reliability and validity of the questionnaire culturally. METHODS: The original instrument was translated and back translated by two independent translators. For psychometric measures, a small sample was used to check the initial comprehension and factibility. Cronbach’s Alfa was used to assess reliability and factor analysis to assess dimensionality. The EuroQol questionnaire and corresponding Visual Analogue Scales were used for concurrent validity. RESULTS: A total of 200 students between the ages of 19 - 28 were participated in the study. Mean age was 22. The internal consistency coefficient (Cronbach's alpha) of ADS was 0.92. Factor analysis of the scale revealed that it was composed of six factors with Eigenvalues >1.0, accounting for 74 % of the total variance. Correlations were moderate with EuroQol and VAS. CONCLUSIONS: The culturally adapted Alcohol Dependence Scale has good validity and reliability. The instrument is likely to be suitable for the evaluation of alcohol dependence of people in Turkey.