Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
The AUDIT tool, developed by the World Health Organization, detects risky drinking patterns and potential alcohol use disorder. Answer each question based on the past 12 months.
How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
How many standard drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day?
How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion?
How often during the last year have you found you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?
How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected of you because of drinking?
How often during the last year have you needed a first drink in the morning as an eye-opener?
How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?
How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because of drinking?
Have you or someone else been injured because of your drinking?
Has a relative, friend, doctor or other professional been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down?
Total AUDIT score
0
Score range 0–40
Risk zone
Low risk (Zone I)
Likely within low-risk drinking guidelines. Continue monitoring and reinforce healthy habits.
Suggested response: Brief education; no formal intervention typically required.
How to Use This Calculator
Capture drinking over the last 12 months
Include weekend binges, festivals, and holidays. Accuracy improves when you review previous unit calculations or diaries.
Answer all ten questions
Scores represent aggregate risk. Partial completion may underestimate drinking-related harm.
Use results to plan intervention
Each risk zone has recommended actions—from brief advice to specialty addiction treatment. Engage a clinician to tailor care.
Formula
Total AUDIT score = Sum of 10 item scores (each 0–4, questions 9 & 10 score 0, 2, or 4)
Risk zones:
- 0–7: Zone I (Low risk)
- 8–15: Zone II (Hazardous)
- 16–19: Zone III (Harmful)
- 20–40: Zone IV (Likely dependence)
Adapted from WHO AUDIT guidelines and CDC implementation manuals.
Full Description
The AUDIT questionnaire evaluates alcohol consumption, drinking behaviour, and alcohol-related problems. It outperforms many screening tools in sensitivity and specificity, especially in primary care. High scores demand evaluation for withdrawal risk before tapering or detoxification and for comorbid mental health conditions. Combine results with laboratory investigations (LFTs, MCV, GGT), psychosocial assessments, and readiness-to-change interviews to tailor treatment plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I already completed the AUDIT-C?
AUDIT-C is the first three questions. Seven additional items gauge dependence and harm to refine risk stratification.
How is AUDIT used clinically?
Primary care providers use it to trigger brief interventions. Addiction specialists use it to gauge severity and treatment intensity.
Does pregnancy change interpretation?
Yes. Any alcohol use in pregnancy merits counselling and follow-up—abstinence is recommended.
Can I self-administer online?
Yes, but results should be reviewed with a healthcare professional to plan safe next steps, especially if scores are ≥16.