AUDIT
Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test
Ten-item WHO screen for hazardous, harmful, and dependent alcohol use.
When to use the AUDIT
Use the AUDIT at intake with every adult client to quantify alcohol risk, and again whenever drinking is implicated in a setback. Scores sort clients into brief-intervention, monitoring, or full-assessment pathways.
What the AUDIT measures
Items 1–3 cover consumption (frequency, typical quantity, heavy episodes). Items 4–6 cover dependence symptoms (impaired control, increased salience, morning drinking). Items 7–10 cover alcohol-related harms (guilt, blackouts, injuries, others' concern).
Use the AUDIT when
- Universal intake screening — most hazardous drinking is invisible without a measure
- Drinking is named as a coping strategy for anxiety, trauma, or insomnia
- Before starting a medication that interacts with alcohol
- Monitoring during recovery or a moderation plan
Why use the AUDIT instead of another measure
The AUDIT covers consumption, dependence symptoms, and consequences in ten items, so a single score maps to a defined WHO intervention tier. The AUDIT-C (first three items) works when time is short and still detects hazardous use well.
When not to use the AUDIT
- The concern is a non-alcohol substance — use the DUDIT or DAST
- You need a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder — this is a risk screen, not a diagnostic interview
- Withdrawal is suspected; that requires immediate medical assessment, not a questionnaire
Scoring and bands
Cutoffs
≥8 is the standard cutoff for hazardous drinking (≥7 for women in some guidelines). The AUDIT-C (items 1–3) can be used for quicker screening — ≥4 for men, ≥3 for women.
What AUDIT results mean — and what to do next
Low-risk drinking.
Next stepBrief education on limits; no intervention indicated.
Hazardous or increasing-risk drinking.
Next stepDeliver a brief motivational intervention and set a concrete reduction plan.
Higher-risk drinking with likely harm.
Next stepBrief intervention plus structured monitoring and a return visit; consider specialist referral.
Possible alcohol dependence.
Next stepRefer for full diagnostic assessment and medical review; discuss withdrawal risk before any abrupt cessation.
How often to re-administer
Annually as routine screening, or monthly when drinking is an active treatment target.
What to pair it with
PHQ-9 and GAD-7 (self-medication patterns) and PCL-5 (trauma-driven use).
How to talk about the score
AUDIT scores invite an MI conversation. Avoid framing the score as a label. 'This score puts you in a range where most people see meaningful benefit from changes — what does that bring up for you?'
Limitations
- 12-month recall window — may miss recent escalation
- Self-report — under-reporting is common, especially when consequences are present
- Doesn't capture other substances
- Cultural drinking norms vary
Best used for
- Primary care screening
- Intake screening for any clinical population
- Annual re-screening in continuing care
Frequently asked questions about the AUDIT
Should I score lower for women?
Most guidelines lower the AUDIT-C cutoff for women (3 vs. 4) given physiological differences. The full AUDIT cutoff of 8 is generally retained.
Is AUDIT-C enough on its own?
AUDIT-C is a faster screen; positive AUDIT-C should be followed by the full AUDIT to characterize severity and consequences.