🌿 RehabNest - AUDIT Alcohol Use Screener
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AUDIT Alcohol Use Screener
The World Health Organization's 10-question Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. The most widely validated alcohol screening instrument in the world. Results in under 3 minutes.
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Medical Disclaimer
RehabNest tools are for educational and informational purposes only. They do not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance. If you are in crisis, call 988 immediately.
What counts as one standard drink?
🍺 12 oz regular beer (5% ABV)
🍷 5 oz wine (12% ABV)
🥃 1.5 oz spirits (40% ABV)
🍹 12 oz hard seltzer (5% ABV)
Question 1 of 10Score: 0
About the AUDIT screening tool
The AUDIT was developed by the World Health Organization in 1989 and has since been validated in over 50 countries across different cultures, age groups, and genders. It is the gold standard for identifying alcohol use disorders in primary care settings and is endorsed by the WHO, NIAAA, SAMHSA, and most major medical organizations worldwide.
The 10 questions cover three domains: alcohol consumption (questions 1-3), alcohol dependence symptoms (questions 4-6), and alcohol-related harm (questions 7-10). Each question scores 0 to 4, giving a maximum score of 40. The tool has 92% sensitivity and 94% specificity for identifying hazardous and harmful drinking, making it one of the most accurate screening instruments available for any medical condition.
What AUDIT scores mean
Scores of 0 to 7 indicate low-risk drinking. Scores of 8 to 15 indicate hazardous drinking, meaning a pattern that increases health and social risk even without current dependence. Scores of 16 to 19 indicate harmful drinking with possible dependence. Scores of 20 and above indicate likely alcohol dependence and warrant specialist assessment. Research shows that brief interventions are highly effective for scores in the 8-15 range, and more intensive treatment significantly improves outcomes for higher scores.
If your score surprises you, that reaction itself is informative. Many people discover through objective screening that their use has escalated beyond what their self-perception acknowledged. The withdrawal timeline tool explains what physical dependence means medically, and the treatment type comparison tool can help you understand what appropriate care looks like at your score level.
Women and lower scoring thresholds
Some clinicians use a lower threshold of 7 for women given differences in alcohol metabolism discussed in the women in recovery guide. Women develop alcohol-related health consequences at lower consumption levels and in shorter timeframes than men. If you are a woman and your score is 7, the clinical picture warrants the same attention as a score of 8 in a man.
Bring this to your doctor: Print your AUDIT results and bring them to your next medical appointment. Physicians are trained to use AUDIT scores to guide brief counseling interventions. An objective score makes a difficult conversation much easier to start and ensures your provider has the full picture.
Frequently asked questions
The AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) is a 10-question screening tool developed by the World Health Organization. It is the most widely used and validated screening instrument for alcohol use disorders worldwide, used by primary care physicians, hospitals, and addiction specialists in over 50 countries. It takes under 3 minutes to complete.
An AUDIT score of 8 or above indicates hazardous or harmful alcohol use and warrants a brief intervention or referral for further assessment. Scores of 8-15 suggest hazardous use, 16-19 suggest harmful use or possible dependence, and 20 or above suggest likely alcohol dependence requiring specialist assessment. The treatment type comparison tool can help you understand what care is appropriate at your score level.
The AUDIT has sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 94% for identifying hazardous and harmful drinking, among the strongest of any addiction screening tool. It has been validated across different cultures, genders, and age groups and is endorsed by the WHO, NIAAA, and SAMHSA. It is the reference standard against which other alcohol screening tools are measured.
In the US, one standard drink contains 14 grams of pure alcohol. This equals 12 oz regular beer (5% ABV), 5 oz wine (12% ABV), or 1.5 oz distilled spirits (40% ABV). When answering AUDIT questions about "drinks," count each standard drink unit. A large glass of wine poured generously may contain 2 standard drinks. A pint of strong craft beer may contain 2-3 standard drinks.