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Alcohol Use Screening (AUDIT-C) - Instructions

The following questions are a screening focusing on symptoms of alcohol dependence. Please read each question carefully, then select the appropriate answer. This entire screening is processed on this local computer. No information is collected, stored or sent over the Internet. To ensure complete privacy, exit your web browser after completing this screening.

If you have problems accessing this tool, there is also text-only version.

Alcohol Use Screening (AUDIT-C) - Manual Instructions

The following questions are a screening focusing on symptoms of alcohol dependence. Please read each question carefully, then select the appropriate answer. Instructions on scoring and interpreting your results are located after the final question.

There is also an interactive version of this tool.

 
Select your gender.


 
How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?





 
 
How many drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking?






 
How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion?





 
 

How to score your answers.

Now that you have answered all of the questions, you will need to score your answers.

For question two a "Never" answer has value of zero. A "Monthly or Less" answer has a value of one. A "Two to four times a month" answer has a value of two. A "Two to three times a week" answer has a value of three. A "Four or more times a week" answer has a value of four.

For question three a "1 or 2" answer has value of zero. A "3 or 4" answer has a value of one. A "5 or 6" answer has a value of two. A "7 or 8" answer has a value of three. A "10 or More" answer has a value of four.

For question four a "Never" answer has value of zero. A "Less Than Monthly" answer has a value of one. A "Monthly" answer has a value of two. A "Weekly" answer has a value of three. A "Daily or almost daily" answer has a value of four. Total all your answer scores to determine your screening result.

Read this if you are a woman with a result between 0 and 2, or you are a man with a result between 0 and 3.

Your results

Your screen results indicate that you have few or no symptoms of alcohol dependence. This screen is not designed to provide a comprehensive assessment or diagnosis of alcohol dependence. Only a qualified physician or mental health provider can provide a complete assessment and diagnosis of alcohol dependence. Only a qualified physician or mental health professional can differentiate symptoms of alcohol dependence from other medical conditions. Only a qualified physician or mental health provider can prescribe appropriate treatment for alcohol dependence or other medical conditions.

If you are concerned about any illness, regardless of what the screen shows, you should seek further evaluation from your physician. If you are concerned that you may have a medical emergency or are having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, call 911, or go immediately to the nearest hospital emergency room for an evaluation.

You can print this page for your own records or to give to your physician or a mental health care provider by pressing CTRL+P or by going to File>Print in your browser's menu.

Read this if you are a woman with a result between 3 and 7, or you are a man with a result between 4 and 7.

Your results

Your screen results are consistent with minimal symptoms of alcohol dependence. If these symptoms are distressing to you or are distracting you at work, or home, you may benefit from seeing your physician or a qualified mental health professional for a complete evaluation, as soon as practical. Although many veterans/individuals cope well with symptoms like yours, effective treatments for alcohol dependence are available to help reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life. A mental health professional or your physician can advise you about whether you can benefit from treatment and describe different treatment alternatives.

This screen is not designed to provide a comprehensive assessment or diagnosis of alcohol dependence. Only a qualified physician or mental health provider can provide a complete assessment and diagnosis of alcohol dependence. Only a qualified physician or mental health professional can differentiate symptoms of alcohol dependence from other medical conditions. Only a qualified physician or mental health provider can prescribe appropriate treatment for alcohol dependence or other medical conditions.

If you are concerned about any illness, regardless of what the screen shows, you should seek further evaluation from your physician. If you are concerned that you may have a medical emergency or are having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, call 911, or go immediately to the nearest hospital emergency room for an evaluation.

You can print this page for your own records or to give to your physician or a mental health care provider by pressing CTRL+P or by going to File>Print in your browser's menu.

Read this if your result is between 8 and 12.

Your results

Your screen results are consistent with many of the symptoms of alcohol dependence. You are advised to see your physician or a qualified mental health professional immediately for a complete assessment. Although many veterans/individuals cope well with symptoms like yours, effective treatments for alcohol dependence are available to help reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life. A mental health professional or your physician can advise you about whether you can benefit from treatment and describe different treatment alternatives.

This screen is not designed to provide a comprehensive assessment or diagnosis of alcohol dependence. Only a qualified physician or mental health provider can provide a complete assessment and diagnosis of alcohol dependence. Only a qualified physician or mental health professional can differentiate symptoms of alcohol dependence from other medical conditions. Only a qualified physician or mental health provider can prescribe appropriate treatment for alcohol dependence or other medical conditions.

If you are concerned about any illness, regardless of what the screen shows, you should seek further evaluation from your physician. If you are concerned that you may have a medical emergency or are having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, call 911, or go immediately to the nearest hospital emergency room for an evaluation.

You can print this page for your own records or to give to your physician or a mental health care provider by pressing CTRL+P or by going to File>Print in your browser's menu.

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test is a publication of the World Health Organization, © 1990

The AUDIT-C is the subset of items on the AUDIT dealing with consumption of alcohol