Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
A 10-item tool to screen for hazardous alcohol use, harmful use, and alcohol dependence.
Provided by
EVAL FoundationInstructions
- Answer up to 10 questions about your alcohol use over the past year.
- Choose the answer that is most accurate for you.
- Your total score and risk level will be calculated and displayed after you answer all questions.
- Please discuss these results with a healthcare provider. This tool is for screening, not for diagnosis.
Standard Drink Equivalents
Because alcohol can affect your health and can interfere with certain medications and treatments, it is important that we ask some questions about your use of alcohol. Your answers will remain confidential so please be honest. Make a selection that best describes your answer to each question over the past year.
Purpose and Use
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a 10-item screening tool developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to assess alcohol consumption, drinking behaviors, and alcohol-related problems. Its primary purpose is to help identify individuals with hazardous or harmful patterns of alcohol consumption, as well as those with potential alcohol dependence. A 'standard drink' is defined as containing approximately 14 grams of pure alcohol (e.g., 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of spirits).
Scoring and Interpretation
The AUDIT questionnaire is scored on a scale of 0 to 40. Each question has a series of answers with a corresponding point value from 0 to 4. The total score is the sum of the points from all 10 questions, which corresponds to a specific risk level.
- 0-7 Points (Low Risk): This score suggests a low level of alcohol-related problems. The recommended intervention is typically alcohol education.
- 8-14 Points (Hazardous or Harmful Risk): This score indicates a pattern of hazardous or harmful drinking. Simple advice focused on reducing hazardous drinking is recommended.
- 15 or More Points (Alcohol Dependent Risk): This score suggests a high likelihood of alcohol dependence. The patient requires further diagnostic evaluation and may need more intensive treatment or referral to a specialist.
Question Logic
- If question 1 is "Never" then the assessment will skip questions 2 through 8 but will be required to answer questions 9 through 10.
- If questions 2 & 3 score a zero then the assessment will skip questions 4 through 8 but will be required to answer questions 9 and 10.
Domains Covered
The 10 questions of the AUDIT cover three key conceptual domains:
- Hazardous Alcohol Consumption (Questions 1-3): These questions assess the quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption.
- Dependence Symptoms (Questions 4-6): These questions inquire about symptoms of alcohol dependence, such as impaired control over drinking, increased salience of drinking, and withdrawal symptoms.
- Harmful Alcohol Use (Questions 7-10): These questions focus on the adverse consequences of drinking, such as guilt after drinking, blackouts, alcohol-related injuries, and concern from others.
Source and Validation
The AUDIT was developed and validated through a WHO collaborative project involving six countries. It is one of the most accurate and widely used alcohol screening instruments available. Its validity has been established across various populations and cultural settings.
Primary Reference: Babor, T.F., Higgins-Biddle, J.C., Saunders, J.B., & Monteiro, M.G. (2001). AUDIT: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test: Guidelines for Use in Primary Care (2nd ed.). World Health Organization.
Limitations
The AUDIT is a screening tool and not a substitute for a comprehensive diagnostic assessment by a qualified healthcare professional. Its accuracy depends on the patient's honest self-reporting, which may be influenced by recall bias or a reluctance to disclose heavy drinking. The definition of a 'standard drink' can also vary by country, which may require clarification for the user.
All questions & possible results
Standard Drink Equivalents
Because alcohol can affect your health and can interfere with certain medications and treatments, it is important that we ask some questions about your use of alcohol. Your answers will remain confidential so please be honest. Make a selection that best describes your answer to each question over the past year.
1. How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
Select one option:
- Never
- Monthly or less
- 2 to 4 times a month
- 2 to 3 times a week
- 4 or more times a week
2. How many drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking?
Select one option:
- 1 or 2
- 3 or 4
- 5 or 6
- 7 to 9
- 10 or more
3. How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion?
Select one option:
- Never
- Less than monthly
- Monthly
- Weekly
- Daily or almost daily
4. How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?
Select one option:
- Never
- Less than monthly
- Monthly
- Weekly
- Daily or almost daily
5. How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected of you because of drinking?
Select one option:
- Never
- Less than monthly
- Monthly
- Weekly
- Daily or almost daily
6. How often during the last year have you needed a first drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?
Select one option:
- Never
- Less than monthly
- Monthly
- Weekly
- Daily or almost daily
7. How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?
Select one option:
- Never
- Less than monthly
- Monthly
- Weekly
- Daily or almost daily
8. How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because of your drinking?
Select one option:
- Never
- Less than monthly
- Monthly
- Weekly
- Daily or almost daily
9. Have you or someone else been injured because of your drinking?
Select one option:
- No
- Yes, but not in the last year
- Yes, during the last year
10. Has a relative, friend, doctor, or other health care worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down?
Select one option:
- No
- Yes, but not in the last year
- Yes, during the last year
Possible results
Low Risk
- Your score indicates a low level of risk for alcohol-related problems. It is recommended to continue responsible drinking habits. If you have any concerns, please discuss them with a healthcare provider.
- Your healthcare provider may provide feedback or no further action depending on your health status or medication use.
Limitations
The AUDIT is a screening tool and not a substitute for a comprehensive diagnostic assessment by a qualified healthcare professional. Its accuracy depends on the patient's honest self-reporting, which may be influenced by recall bias or a reluctance to disclose heavy drinking. The definition of a 'standard drink' can also vary by country, which may require clarification for the user.
Alcohol Dependent Risk
- Your score indicates a high likelihood of alcohol dependence.
- It is strongly recommended that you seek advice from a healthcare professional urgently. They can provide guidance and support for managing your alcohol use.
- Your healthcare provider may provide feedback, referral to a specialist, detoxification, enrollment in a therapy program, pharmacotherapy (medication) and engagement with a self-help fellowship depending on your health status or medication use.
- Click Drink-Less Program for more information on actions you can take now.
Limitations
The AUDIT is a screening tool and not a substitute for a comprehensive diagnostic assessment by a qualified healthcare professional. Its accuracy depends on the patient's honest self-reporting, which may be influenced by recall bias or a reluctance to disclose heavy drinking. The definition of a 'standard drink' can also vary by country, which may require clarification for the user.
Hazardous or Harmful Risk
- Your score suggests that your drinking is at a hazardous or harmful level.
- It would be beneficial to consider reducing your alcohol consumption.
- Please consult with a healthcare provider to discuss your drinking patterns and potential health risks.
- Your healthcare provider may provide feedback or brief intervention (Drink-Less Program) depending on your health status or medication use.
- Click Drink-Less Program for more information.
Limitations
The AUDIT is a screening tool and not a substitute for a comprehensive diagnostic assessment by a qualified healthcare professional. Its accuracy depends on the patient's honest self-reporting, which may be influenced by recall bias or a reluctance to disclose heavy drinking. The definition of a 'standard drink' can also vary by country, which may require clarification for the user.
Citation
Babor, T.F., Higgins-Biddle, J.C., Saunders, J.B., & Monteiro, M.G. (2001). AUDIT: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test: Guidelines for Use in Primary Care (2nd ed.). World Health Organization.
Literature
- AUDIT: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test: Guidelines for Use in Primary Care (2nd ed.). World Health Organization. — Babor, T.F., Higgins-Biddle, J.C., Saunders, J.B., & Monteiro, M.G. (2001).
