AUDIT Alcohol Screening
The WHO gold-standard 10-question screening for alcohol problems. Covers consumption, dependence, and harm.
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Zone I: 0-7 low risk Zone IV: 20+ possible dependence Used in 40+ countries
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Why: Early identification enables brief intervention and prevents progression to alcohol use disorder.
How: 10 questions in three domains: consumption (Q1-3), dependence (Q4-6), harm (Q7-10). Score 0-40.
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Low Risk - Social Drinker
Occasional social drinking with no negative consequences
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Hazardous Drinking Pattern
Regular drinking above guidelines with occasional binge episodes
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Harmful Drinking Pattern
Frequent heavy drinking with evidence of harm and early dependence signs
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Probable Alcohol Dependence
Daily heavy drinking with multiple dependence symptoms
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Non-Drinker Baseline
Does not consume alcohol - baseline reference
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Sample Scenarios
Domain 1: Alcohol Consumption (AUDIT-C)
How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
How many drinks do you have on a typical day when you are drinking?
How often do you have 6 or more drinks on one occasion?
Domain 2: Dependence Symptoms
How often during the past year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?
How often during the past year have you failed to do what was normally expected of you because of drinking?
How often during the past year have you needed a first drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?
Domain 3: Harmful Alcohol Use
How often during the past year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?
How often during the past year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because of your drinking?
Have you or someone else been injured because of your drinking?
Has a relative, friend, doctor, or other health care worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down?
Patient Information
For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before acting on results.
🏥 Health Facts
10 questions, 3 domains
— WHO
Validated in 40+ countries
— WHO
What is the AUDIT?
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is the World Health Organization's gold-standard comprehensive screening instrument for alcohol-related problems. This 10-question assessment goes beyond simple consumption to evaluate dependence symptoms and harmful consequences, providing a complete picture of an individual's relationship with alcohol.
Hazardous Use
Alcohol consumption patterns - frequency, quantity, and binge episodes.
Also known as AUDIT-C
Dependence
Impaired control, neglect of responsibilities, morning drinking.
Key AUD diagnostic criteria
Harmful Use
Guilt, blackouts, injuries, and others' concern about your drinking.
Consequences assessment
Why Use the Full AUDIT?
Goes beyond consumption to detect dependence and harm
Score zones guide appropriate intervention intensity
92% sensitivity, 94% specificity across cultures
Used worldwide in healthcare and research settings
AUDIT Risk Zones and Interventions
Stepped-Care Intervention Model
How the AUDIT Works
Scoring System
Questions 1-8
Questions 9-10 (Yes/No)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between AUDIT and AUDIT-C?
AUDIT-C is a 3-question subset (Q1-3) that focuses only on consumption and is used for quick screening. The full AUDIT adds 7 questions about dependence and harm for comprehensive assessment.
What score indicates alcohol dependence?
Scores of 20+ (Zone IV) suggest possible alcohol dependence requiring specialist referral. However, AUDIT is a screening tool - formal diagnosis requires clinical evaluation using DSM-5 criteria.
How often should AUDIT screening be performed?
For general population: annually during routine health visits. For those with elevated scores: every 3-6 months until drinking patterns normalize. After positive change: periodic monitoring.
Are Questions 9-10 scored differently?
Yes. Q9-10 ask about injuries and others' concern with only 3 options: No (0 points), Yes but not in last year (2 points), Yes in last year (4 points). This reflects the severity of these indicators.
What does "hazardous drinking" mean?
Hazardous drinking (Zone II, score 8-15) means drinking at levels that increase risk of health problems but haven't caused significant harm yet. It's a warning sign that warrants lifestyle changes.
Can I use this assessment on myself?
Yes, the AUDIT is valid for self-assessment. Answer honestly about your drinking over the past year. If your score suggests concern (8+), consider discussing results with a healthcare provider.
Clinical Note
The AUDIT is validated across cultures and healthcare settings with 92% sensitivity and 94% specificity for detecting hazardous drinking. Results guide intervention intensity but should be interpreted in clinical context.
Best Practices
- • Use motivational interviewing
- • Assess readiness for change
- • Provide non-judgmental feedback
Key Limitations
- • Relies on self-report honesty
- • Screening tool, not diagnostic
- • Cultural factors may affect responses
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