OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in selected research to ascertain the suitability of this tool for screening for anxiety and depression in an alcohol-dependent population. METHODS: Narrative review. RESULTS: Of the 529 articles initially evaluated, selected studies included 28 studies used to evaluate the factor analysis of the HADS, 5 studies were selected that reported appropriate data to assess test-retest reliability and 26 studies were selected which reported alpha coefficient scores to determine the internal consistency of the HADS. Factor analysis studies revealed consistent bi-dimensional or tripartite models, with few exceptions. Just one study of five evaluated fulfilled he criteria for good test-retest reliability.  However, most of the studies reporting alpha revealed an acceptable level of internal consistency reliability. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the studies in the review, the findings suggest that the HADS may be an effective screening tool in an alcohol dependent population, though there is a caveat to this.  The test-retest characteristics appear unsatisfactory in the studies selected.  Notwithstanding the test-retest reliability characteristics, factor structure and internal consistency evidence would suggest the instrument to be suitable for use in an alcohol-dependent population.