- The AUDIT is the gold standard screening tool for identifying hazardous alcohol use
- Developed by the World Health Organization and validated in dozens of countries
- Consists of 10 questions covering consumption, dependence, and harm
- Takes 2-5 minutes to administer as a self-report or interview
- Scores range from 0-40; 8+ for men and 7+ for women suggest hazardous drinking
- Sensitivity and specificity exceed 90% for detecting alcohol use disorders
- AUDIT-C is a shortened 3-question version used for rapid screening
- Recommended by the USPSTF for routine screening in primary care settings
Published: February 2026 | Last Updated: February 2026 | Reading Time: 6 min
What Is the AUDIT?
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a 10-item screening questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1982 to identify individuals whose alcohol consumption has become hazardous or harmful. It is the most widely used and extensively validated alcohol screening instrument in the world, with studies conducted in over 40 countries confirming its reliability across diverse populations, cultures, and clinical settings.
Development
The AUDIT was developed as part of a multinational WHO collaborative project to create a simple, clinically relevant screening tool that could be administered in primary healthcare settings. Unlike earlier screening tools like the CAGE and MAST, which were designed primarily to detect alcohol dependence, the AUDIT was specifically designed to identify the full spectrum of problematic drinking — from hazardous use through harmful use to alcohol dependence.
The 10 AUDIT Questions
The AUDIT questions are organized into three domains.
Consumption (Questions 1-3): How often do you have a drink containing alcohol? How many standard drinks do you have on a typical drinking day? How often do you have 6 or more drinks on one occasion?
Dependence (Questions 4-6): How often in the past year have you found you were unable to stop drinking once you started? How often have you failed to do what was normally expected of you because of drinking? How often have you needed a first drink in the morning to get yourself going?
Harm (Questions 7-10): How often have you felt guilt or remorse after drinking? How often have you been unable to remember what happened the night before? Have you or someone else been injured because of your drinking? Has a relative, friend, doctor, or health worker been concerned about your drinking?
Scoring and Interpretation
Each question is scored from 0-4, with total scores ranging from 0-40. Score interpretation follows these general guidelines. A score of 0-7 indicates low risk. A score of 8-15 suggests hazardous drinking — a brief intervention is recommended. A score of 16-19 suggests harmful drinking — brief counseling and continued monitoring are recommended. A score of 20-40 suggests possible alcohol dependence — referral for comprehensive evaluation and treatment is recommended.
Note that the threshold of 8 is the standard for men, while some clinicians use a lower threshold of 7 for women due to gender differences in alcohol metabolism and health effects.
AUDIT-C: The Short Version
The AUDIT-C consists of just the first three questions (the consumption domain) and is widely used as a rapid pre-screen in busy clinical settings. A score of 4+ for men or 3+ for women on the AUDIT-C warrants administering the full AUDIT or conducting further assessment. The AUDIT-C has been shown to have comparable sensitivity to the full AUDIT for detecting hazardous drinking.
Using the AUDIT
In Clinical Settings
The AUDIT can be administered as a self-report questionnaire (paper or digital), as a structured interview, or embedded within a broader health assessment. Administration takes 2-5 minutes. Clinicians should preface the screening with a normalizing statement such as "We ask all our patients about their alcohol use as part of routine health care."
For Self-Assessment
The AUDIT is freely available and can be used for personal self-assessment. While self-screening can provide valuable insight, results should be discussed with a healthcare professional who can provide appropriate context, assessment, and recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is the AUDIT?
The AUDIT has demonstrated sensitivity (true positive rate) of 90-97% and specificity (true negative rate) of 78-94% for detecting hazardous alcohol use, making it one of the most accurate screening instruments available for any health condition.
Is the AUDIT the same as a diagnosis?
No. The AUDIT is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. A positive screen indicates a need for further evaluation. A formal diagnosis of alcohol use disorder requires a comprehensive clinical assessment by a qualified professional using DSM-5-TR criteria.
Can I score an 8 or higher and not have a problem?
A score of 8+ indicates that your drinking pattern places you at increased risk for alcohol-related harm. While it does not necessarily mean you have an alcohol use disorder, it does suggest that your consumption exceeds recommended guidelines and warrants a conversation with a healthcare provider.
References
- Babor, T.F., et al. (2001). The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test: Guidelines for Use in Primary Care. World Health Organization.
- Saunders, J.B., et al. (1993). Development of the AUDIT. Addiction.
- Bush, K., et al. (1998). The AUDIT Alcohol Consumption Questions (AUDIT-C). Archives of Internal Medicine.
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2018). Screening for Unhealthy Alcohol Use in Adolescents and Adults.
- Reinert, D.F. & Allen, J.P. (2007). The AUDIT: A review of recent research. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.
This article was reviewed by the Valley Spring Recovery Center Editorial Team. For a confidential alcohol assessment, call (201) 781-8812 or visit our admissions page.
Valley Spring Recovery Center — Evidence-based addiction treatment in Norwood, New Jersey.