Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)

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The AUDIT is a 10-item self-report tool developed by the World Health Organization to screen for hazardous and harmful alcohol use. It identifies patterns of drinking that may place individuals at risk of health and social consequences and supports early intervention in a range of care settings.

Recommended Frequency: Annually for general screening or at intake; repeat every 3–6 months in high-risk populations or as clinically indicated during treatment.

About the AUDIT

The AUDIT was created through a WHO collaborative project to provide a standardized, globally applicable screening tool for alcohol-related problems. It is widely used in primary care, mental health, and addiction services to identify risky drinking behaviors and potential dependence. It screens across three domains: alcohol consumption, dependence symptoms, and alcohol-related harm.

Psychometric Properties

The AUDIT has been validated across many countries, cultures, and clinical settings. It shows strong internal consistency (α ≈ 0.80–0.90) and high sensitivity and specificity for identifying alcohol use disorders and related risks.

  • Typical cutoff: ≥8 indicates hazardous or harmful drinking
  • Lower thresholds (e.g., ≥4 for women) may be used depending on the population
  • Supported by WHO as a first-line alcohol screening tool
Sources: Babor et al., 2001; Reinert & Allen, 2002

The Scale

The AUDIT includes 10 items scored on a 5-point scale. The questions fall into three groups:

  1. Alcohol use (frequency and quantity)
  2. Dependence symptoms (e.g., loss of control, morning drinking)
  3. Alcohol-related consequences (e.g., guilt, injuries, others’ concern)
Example item: “How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion?”

Each item is scored from 0–4, with a total possible score of 40.

Score Range

  • 0–7: Low-risk drinking
  • 8–15: Hazardous drinking
  • 16–19: Harmful drinking
  • 20–40: Possible dependence

Score thresholds may vary by guideline or population. Follow-up assessment is recommended for scores ≥8.

Copyright

© World Health Organization. The AUDIT is freely available for public, clinical, and research use.

References

  1. Babor, T. F., Higgins-Biddle, J. C., Saunders, J. B., & Monteiro, M. G. (2001). AUDIT: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test – Guidelines for Use in Primary Care (2nd ed). World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/67205/WHO_MSD_MSB_01.6a.pdf
  2. Reinert, D. F., & Allen, J. P. (2002). The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test: An update of research findings. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 26(2), 272–279. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-0277.2002.tb02534.x

Disclaimer

This summary is for informational use only. HiBoop does not interpret clinical scores or provide diagnostic guidance. The AUDIT should be administered and interpreted by trained professionals.

Permissions

The AUDIT is in the public domain and may be used, reproduced, and adapted for non-commercial purposes with appropriate attribution to the World Health Organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is the AUDIT used for diagnosis?

    No. It screens for risky or problematic alcohol use. A formal diagnosis requires clinical judgment and may involve DSM-5 criteria or structured interviews.

  • What’s the difference between the AUDIT and AUDIT-C?

    The AUDIT-C consists of the first 3 questions and is focused solely on consumption. The full AUDIT includes consequences and dependence risk, making it more comprehensive

  • Can I use the AUDIT remotely?

    Yes. It can be completed via HiBoop’s secure link and reviewed in session. Though some clinicians find it important that the client is stabilized to provide better quality data.

  • What if my client scores high on just a few items?

    Explore those areas in detail. A high score on specific items (e.g., blackouts or morning drinking) may indicate localized but serious risk.

  • What if my client doesn’t drink often but drinks heavily when they do?

    This pattern—episodic binge drinking—can still result in high scores and clinical risk, even if overall frequency is low.

  • How do I explain the AUDIT to clients?

    Let them know it’s a standard tool to understand alcohol’s impact on their life—not about judgment, but about care planning and support.

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