The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test: Self-Report Version • Pharmacotherapy to manage cravings.

PATIENT: Because alcohol use can affect your health and can interfere with certain medications and • Relapse prevention, longer-term
treatments, it is important that we ask some questions about your use of alcohol. Your answers will follow-up and support
remain confidential so please be honest. Place an X in one box that best describes your answer to each
question.
Questions 0 1 2 3 4

1. How often do you have a drink Never Monthly 2-4 2-3 4 or

containing alcohol? or less times a times a more
month week times
a week
2. How many standard drinks do 1 or 2 3 or 4 5 or 6 7 to 9 10 or
you have on a typical day when you more
are drinking?
3. How often do you have six or Never Less Monthly Weekly Daily
more standard drinks on one than or
occasion? monthly almost
daily
4. How often during the last year Never Less Monthly Weekly Daily
have you found that you were not than or
able to stop drinking once you had monthly almost
started? daily
5. How often during the last year Never Less Monthly Weekly Daily
have you failed to do what was than or
normally expected of you because monthly almost
of drinking? daily
6. How often during the last year Never Less Monthly Weekly Daily
have you needed a first drink in the than or
morning to get yourself going after monthly almost
a heavy drinking session? daily
7. How often during the last year Never Less Monthly Weekly Daily
have you had a feeling of guilt or than or
remorse after drinking? monthly almost
daily
8. How often during the last year Never Less Monthly Weekly Daily
have you been unable to remember than or
what happened the night before monthly almost
because you had been drinking? daily
9. Have you or someone else been No Yes, but Yes,
injured because of your drinking? not in during
the last the
year last
year
10. Has a relative, friend, doctor, or No Yes, but Yes,
other health care worker been not in during
concerned about your drinking or the last the
suggested you cut down? year last
year
Total

Consumption score
Add up questions 1 to 3 and place this sub-score in the adjacent single box in the far-right column
(maximum score possible = 12). A score of 6 or 7 may indicate a risk of alcohol-related harm, even if this is
also the total score for the AUDIT (e.g., consumption could be over the recommended weekly intake of 28
for men and 14 for females in the absence of scoring on any other questions). Drinking may also take
place in dangerous situations (e.g., driving, fishing/boating). Scores of 6 to 7 may also indicate potential
harm for those groups more susceptible to the effects of alcohol, such as young people, women, the
elderly, people with mental health problems and people on medication. Further inquiry may reveal the
necessity for harm reduction advice.

Dependence score
Add up questions 4 to 6 and place this sub-score in the adjacent single box in the far-right column
(maximum score possible = 12). In addition to the total AUDIT score, a secondary ‘dependence’ score of 4
or more as a subtotal of questions 4 to 6, suggests the possibility of alcohol dependence (and therefore
the need for more intensive intervention if further assessment confirms dependence).

Alcohol-related problems score

Any scoring on questions 7 to 10 warrants further investigation to determine whether the problem is of
current concern and requires intervention.

AUDIT DEPENDENC RISK LEVEL POSSIBLE INTERVENTIONS

TOTAL E SCORE
SCORE
0-7 Below 4 Low risk • Use ‘Right Mix’ materials to reinforce
low-risk drinking, particularly for those
who previously had alcohol problems or
whose circumstances may change.
• Harm reduction advice may be
appropriate for those in susceptible
groups (see ‘Consumption Score’ above)
8-15 Below 4 Risky or hazardous • Brief Intervention - feedback of AUDIT
Moderate risk of harm. and harm reduction advice may be
May include some clients sufficient Ideally also: - setting goals and
currently experiencing limits - a motivational interview - self-
harm (especially those who monitoring of drinking - use of “The
have minimised their Right Mix” self-help guide
reported intake and
problems)

4 or more Assess for dependency

• Counselling may be required.

16-19 Below 4 High risk or harmful level • Brief Intervention (all components) isa
Drinking that will minimum requirement.
eventually result in harm, • Assessment for more intensive
if not already doing so. intervention.
May be dependent. • Counselling using CBT principles and
motivational interviewing in individual
sessions and/or in groups.
Assess for dependence • Follow-up and referral where
4 or more necessary.
20 OR Below 4 High risk • Further assessment preferably
MORE Definite harm, also likely to including family and significant others.
be alcohol dependent. • More intensive counselling and/or
Assess for dependence. group program.
Almost certainly • Consider referral to medical or
dependent. specialist services for withdrawal
Assess for dependency management.
4 or more