Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST)

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The MAST is a widely used self-report screening tool developed to identify alcohol use disorders. It assesses both lifetime and current patterns of problematic drinking, making it useful in clinical, community, and correctional settings.

Recommended Frequency: Use at intake for adults where alcohol use is a concern or history is unclear. May be repeated periodically during substance use treatment or relapse prevention monitoring.

About the MAST

First developed in 1971 by Selzer, the MAST includes questions related to drinking behaviour, social consequences, legal issues, and interpersonal problems caused by alcohol use. There are several versions, including:

  • MAST (25-item) – full version
  • Short-MAST (13-item)
  • Brief-MAST (10-item)
  • SMAST (Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test) – often used with older adults

The MAST focuses on lifetime patterns rather than recent use, offering insight into chronic or historical alcohol problems.

Psychometric Properties

The MAST is one of the most validated tools for detecting alcohol dependence:

  • Sensitivity: 85–97%
  • Specificity: 83–95%
  • Strong concurrent validity with clinical interviews and diagnostic criteria

However, some modern reviews suggest it may be less effective in detecting low-risk or early-stage drinking issues compared to newer tools like AUDIT.

Sources: Selzer, 1971; Crews & Sher, 1992

The Scale

Items are yes/no format. Questions explore:

  • Guilt about drinking
  • Job or relationship issues
  • Blackouts
  • Medical consequences
  • Attempts to stop

Scoring differs slightly depending on the version, but generally:

  • 0–3: Low likelihood of alcohol problem
  • 4–5: Possible alcohol problem
  • 6+: Suggests alcohol dependence; further evaluation needed

Score Range

  • 0–3: No apparent problem
  • 4–5: Early or moderate problem
  • 6+: High likelihood of alcohol use disorder

Always interpret in conjunction with clinical history and other assessments.

Copyright

Public domain. No licensing required for use in clinical or research settings. Original attribution: Selzer, 1971.

References

  1. Selzer, M. L. (1971). The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test: The quest for a new diagnostic instrument. American Journal of Psychiatry, 127(12), 1653–1658. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.127.12.1653
  2. Crews, T. M., & Sher, K. J. (1992). Using adapted short MASTs for college populations. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 53(4), 378–386. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsa.1992.53.378
  3. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Alcohol Screening Tools. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/

Disclaimer

The MAST is a screening tool and should not be used alone to diagnose alcohol use disorder. HiBoop does not provide clinical interpretation. Follow-up with a qualified provider is recommended.

Permissions

The MAST is in the public domain and can be used freely for clinical, research, and educational purposes. Proper citation of the original source is encouraged.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What makes the MAST different from other alcohol screeners like the AUDIT?

    The MAST focuses on lifetime alcohol-related issues, while the AUDIT emphasizes recent drinking behaviour and risk. MAST is more sensitive to long-term patterns of dependence.

  • Which version does HiBoop use?

    HiBoop supports the Short-MAST (13-item) version to balance brevity with clinical utility.

  • How are MAST scores used in HiBoop?

    Scores are displayed in the patient chart and can be reviewed over time. HiBoop does not interpret the results — it’s up to the clinician to determine next steps.

  • Is the MAST diagnostic?

    No. The MAST is a screening tool, not a diagnostic assessment. A positive score suggests the need for further clinical evaluation.