AUDIT — Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test
WHO 10-item questionnaire to identify hazardous/harmful alcohol use and alcohol dependence.
How to use & interpret
The AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) is a 10-item questionnaire that screens for hazardous and harmful drinking and possible dependence, scored 0–40. Commonly, ≥8 indicates hazardous or harmful use, and higher scores (≈15–19 and ≥20) raise the likelihood of harmful use and dependence.
The shorter AUDIT-C (first three items) is widely used for rapid screening. Use the result to guide brief intervention, further assessment, and referral, alongside clinical judgement.
Score interpretation
Score 0–7: Low risk or abstinence
→ Provide alcohol education if score 1–7; no intervention if 0
Score 8–15: Hazardous or harmful use
→ Simple advice; brief counselling and monitoring
Score 16–19: Harmful use
→ Brief counselling; refer for specialist assessment
Score 20–40: Probable alcohol dependence
→ Refer to addiction specialist; consider medically supervised withdrawal
Interpretation bands for the AUDIT. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between AUDIT and AUDIT-C?
AUDIT-C uses only the first three consumption questions for quick screening; the full AUDIT adds items on dependence and alcohol-related harm and better characterises severity.
References
- Saunders JB, et al. Development of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Addiction. 1993;88(6):791-804.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Nalmefene · Opioid Receptor Modulator (Alcohol Dependence — 'As-Needed' Therapy)
- Chlorhexidine gluconate with isopropyl alcohol · Skin antiseptic
- Tetracosactide · Synthetic ACTH (short Synacthen test)
- Chlorhexidine · Antiseptic / disinfectant (bisbiguanide)
- Alcohol (ethanol) · Antidote / sclerosant
- Urea (13C) · 13C-urea breath test
- Acute Behavioural Disturbance / Rapid Tranquillisation · RCEM 2022; RCPsych 2022; NICE NG10
- Self-Harm Presentation · NICE NG225 (2022)
- Capacity Assessment (Mental Capacity Act) · MCA 2005; Code of Practice
- Acute Psychosis Management · NICE CG178 2014
- Depression Management · NICE CG90 2022
- Lithium Therapy Monitoring · NICE CG185
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.