Evidence-based assessment/Instruments/Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a ten-question test developed by a World Health Organization-sponsored collaborative project to determine if a person may be at risk for alcohol abuse problems [1]. The test was designed to be used internationally, and was validated in a study drawing patients from six countries [1]. It performs well in medical settings like primary health care, outpatient settings, and hospital units [2].

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The AUDIT alcohol consumption questions (AUDIT-C) is a 3-question screening test for problem drinking used frequently in primary care settings [3].

Scoring and interpretation

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Scoring the AUDIT is based on a 0-4 point scale. Six of the ten questions ask about the frequency of certain alcohol abuse behaviors and are scored by the following responses:

  • 0 points: "Never"
  • 1 point: "Less than monthly"
  • 2 points: "Monthly"
  • 3 points: "Weekly"
  • 4 points: "Daily, or almost daily"

The other four questions vary in participant response choice but are scored on a 0-4 point scale.

Item breakdown

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The questions measure different domains of alcohol consumption problems. The breakdown is as follows:

  • 1-3: Measure frequency in alcohol consumption
  • 4-6: Measure alcohol dependence
  • 7-10: Measure alcohol related problems

Interpretation of scores

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In order to score the AUDIT, point values of each answer choice are summed together and then interpreted based on the following criteria.

  • A score of 8 or more in men (7 in women) indicates a strong likelihood of hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption.
  • A score of 20 or more is suggestive of alcohol dependence (although some authors quote scores of more than 13 in women and 15 in men as indicating likely dependence).[4]
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References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 Saunders, JB; Aasland, OG; TF, Babor; de la Fuente, JR; Grant, M (1993). "Development of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT):WHO Collaborative Project on Early Detection of Persons with Harmful Alcohol Consumption 1.". Addiction 88 (12): 791–804. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.1993.tb02093.x. PMID 8329970. 
  2. Bohn, MJ; Babor, TF; Kranzler, HR. (July, 1995). "The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT): validation of a screening instrument for use in medical settings". Journal of studies on alcohol, 56 (4), 423-432. doi:10.15288/jsa.1995.56.423
  3. Bush, K; Kivlahan, DR; McDonell, MB; Fihn, SD; Bradley, KA; Ambulatory Care Quality Improvement Project. (September, 1998). "The AUDIT alcohol consumption questions (AUDIT-C): an effective brief screening test for problem drinking". Archives of internal medicine, 158 (16):1789-1795. doi:10.1001/archinte.158.16.1789
  4. AUDIT: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test: Guidelines for Use in Primary Care, second edition, by Thomas F. Babor, John C. Higgins-Biddle, John B. Saunders, and Maristela G. Monteiro. Retrieved June 24, 2006.