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. The test was designed to be used internationally, and was validated in a study drawing patients from six countries. Several research studies have found that the AUDIT screening tool is a reliable and valid measure in identifying alcohol abuse problem behaviors. There is some evidence that the AUDIT works in adolescents and young adults; it appears less accurate in older adults. It appears well-suited for use with college students, and also with women and members of minority groups. The AUDIT alcohol consumption questions (AUDIT-C) is a 3-question screening test for problem drinking which can be used in a doctor's office.

Research studies have found a correlation between an increase in alcohol-related problems and an increase in the total score of the AUDIT. The AUDIT has also been found to be a valid indicator for severity of alcohol dependence, potentially expanding its utility beyond screening to also help with treatment planning. In a systematic review of screening tools for alcohol problems, the AUDIT was found to be the "most effective in identifying subjects with at-risk, hazardous, or harmful drinking" but less effective than the CAGE at detecting alcohol abuse and dependence. Research has also shown that the AUDIT's items are both reliable and highly responsive to change.Sensitivity and specificity for the AUDIT has been found to be high.

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:

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

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

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

The sequence of the AUDIT items has shown to have influenced the client’s report of their drinking patterns and symptoms of alcohol use disorders.

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