AUDIT · Standard screening questionnaire
Alcohol Use Screening
Ten standard questions about drinking patterns and their effects on everyday life, to support discussion with a clinician.
Choose the answer that is correct for you. Count drinks as standard drinks; one standard drink contains 10 grams of pure alcohol.
Adult self-report · 10 items
Screening results can support a clinical conversation but cannot confirm or rule out a diagnosis on their own.
View score ranges and interpretation ↓
How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
Never / Monthly or less / 2-4 times a month / 2-3 times a week / 4 or more times a week
How many standard drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when drinking?
1 or 2 / 3 or 4 / 5 or 6 / 7 to 9 / 10 or more
How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion?
Never / Less than monthly / Monthly / Weekly / Daily or almost daily
During the past year, how often have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?
Never / Less than monthly / Monthly / Weekly / Daily or almost daily
During the past year, how often have you failed to do what was normally expected of you because of drinking?
Never / Less than monthly / Monthly / Weekly / Daily or almost daily
During the past year, how often have you needed a drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?
Never / Less than monthly / Monthly / Weekly / Daily or almost daily
During the past year, how often have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?
Never / Less than monthly / Monthly / Weekly / Daily or almost daily
During the past year, have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because you had been drinking?
Never / Less than monthly / Monthly / Weekly / Daily or almost daily
Have you or someone else been injured as a result of your drinking?
No / Yes, but not in the past year / Yes, during the past year
Has a relative or friend, doctor or other health worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down?
No / Yes, but not in the past year / Yes, during the past year
How to interpret AUDIT scores
The ten items total 0–40. The four general WHO intervention zones below help explain alcohol-related risk and appropriate next steps.
| Score / range | What it means | Suggested next step |
|---|---|---|
| 0–7 points | Lower alcohol-related risk This screen suggests lower alcohol-related risk, not an absence of risk. | Consider alcohol’s effects on health and discuss concerns or alcohol-related problems with a clinician. |
| 8–15 points | Increased alcohol-related risk Drinking patterns may increase risks to health or everyday life. | Discuss drinking patterns and suitable ways to reduce drinking with a healthcare professional. |
| 16–19 points | Higher alcohol-related risk Alcohol-related concerns warrant more active assessment and follow-up. | Arrange counselling and follow-up to assess the effects of drinking on health and daily life. |
| 20–40 points | Possible alcohol dependence This score calls for assessment of possible alcohol dependence; it does not establish a diagnosis. | Arrange a specialist assessment to discuss treatment and support. |
These are general zones. For women and men over 65, a threshold of 7 may prompt further assessment. Individual answers, health and drinking history also matter.
If cutting down causes shaking, sweating or other withdrawal symptoms, seek medical advice before reducing or stopping. Sudden stopping can be dangerous with alcohol dependence; seizures, hallucinations or severe confusion need emergency care.
Interpretation sources：WHO AUDIT manual: pages 19–22 ↗ · WHO: management of alcohol withdrawal ↗