AUDIT
Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test
Ten-item WHO screen for hazardous, harmful, and dependent alcohol use.
What it 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).
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.
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
FAQ
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.