What Is the AUDIT Questionnaire?
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a 10-question screening tool developed by the World Health Organization in 1989. It is the most widely validated alcohol screening instrument in the world, used in over 30 countries by primary care providers, mental health professionals, and researchers.
Each question is scored from 0 to 4, giving a total possible score of 0 to 40. Unlike some screening tools that focus only on severe dependence, the AUDIT was specifically designed to detect hazardous and harmful drinking patterns before they become full alcohol use disorders.
Understanding AUDIT Risk Zones
Your AUDIT score falls into one of four risk zones, each with different clinical implications:
Zone I: Low Risk (Score 0-7)
Drinking within guidelines or abstaining entirely. No intervention needed beyond general health education. This does not mean zero risk; any alcohol consumption carries some health risk, but at this level it is minimal.
Zone II: Hazardous Drinking (Score 8-15)
This is where many people are surprised by their score. A score of 8 to 15 indicates drinking patterns that increase the risk of health problems, even if no problems have appeared yet. The recommended intervention is brief advice about reducing consumption.
Hazardous drinking means you are drinking more than recommended guidelines (more than 14 standard drinks per week for men, more than 7 for women) or drinking in patterns that increase risk (binge drinking, drinking while driving, mixing alcohol with medications).
Zone III: Harmful Drinking (Score 16-19)
At this level, alcohol is likely already causing health or social consequences. You may have experienced relationship problems, work issues, injuries, or early health effects. Brief counseling and continued monitoring are recommended.
Zone IV: Possible Dependence (Score 20-40)
Scores in this range suggest alcohol dependence may be present. Referral to a specialist for diagnostic evaluation and potentially medically supervised treatment is appropriate. Do not attempt to quit suddenly without medical guidance, as alcohol withdrawal can be medically dangerous.
What Does a Score of 8 Actually Mean?
Scoring 8 or above does not mean you are an alcoholic. It means your drinking pattern has crossed into a zone where research shows increased risk. Think of it like elevated blood pressure: it does not mean you are having a heart attack today, but it means your current trajectory raises your risk and warrants attention.
Common patterns that push scores to 8 or above include:
- Drinking 3 or more drinks per occasion regularly
- Drinking more than intended on a frequent basis
- Needing more alcohol to feel the same effect (tolerance)
- Feeling guilty about drinking or being told by others to cut down
- Weekend binge drinking even if weekdays are dry
Health Risks of Hazardous Drinking
The health consequences of sustained hazardous drinking are well documented:
- Liver damage: Fatty liver disease can develop with as few as 2-3 drinks per day over time. This is reversible if caught early but can progress to cirrhosis if drinking continues.
- Cancer risk: The WHO classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen. Even moderate drinking increases risk of breast, colon, liver, esophageal, and head and neck cancers.
- Cardiovascular effects: While low-dose alcohol was once thought to be heart-protective, recent large studies have questioned this. Heavy drinking unambiguously increases risk of high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, and stroke.
- Mental health: Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Regular heavy use worsens anxiety and depression, disrupts sleep architecture, and impairs memory and cognitive function.
- Accidents and injuries: Alcohol is involved in approximately 30% of all traffic fatalities and a significant proportion of falls, drownings, and interpersonal violence.
Practical Strategies for Cutting Back
If your AUDIT score falls in Zone II or III, these evidence-based strategies can help reduce consumption:
- Track your drinking for two weeks. Write down every drink including type, amount, and situation. Many people are surprised by the actual total when they count honestly.
- Set a specific weekly limit. Rather than vague goals like “drink less,” commit to a specific number. The NIAAA recommends no more than 7 standard drinks per week for women and 14 for men.
- Use the “drink, skip, drink” method. Alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during social occasions. This cuts consumption in half without standing out.
- Identify triggers. Notice when you drink the most. Is it stress? Social pressure? Boredom? Habit? Targeting the trigger is more effective than willpower alone.
- Choose smaller servings. A standard drink is 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of liquor. Many pours are much larger than standard, so what you think is one drink may actually be two or three.
- Plan alcohol-free days. Having at least 2-3 alcohol-free days per week gives your liver recovery time and breaks the daily habit loop.
- Find alternatives. Non-alcoholic beers and mocktails have improved dramatically. Having an enjoyable non-alcoholic option available reduces the pull toward defaulting to alcohol.
When to Seek Professional Help
Consider talking to a healthcare provider or addiction counselor if:
- You have tried to cut back on your own but cannot sustain it
- You experience withdrawal symptoms (tremors, sweating, anxiety, insomnia) when you stop drinking
- Drinking is causing relationship, work, or legal problems
- You are drinking to cope with anxiety, depression, or trauma
- Your score is in Zone III or IV
You might also find it helpful to explore your results alongside our CAGE Alcohol Assessment, which uses different questions to evaluate alcohol-related problems from another angle.
Take the AUDIT Screening
Answer 10 quick questions to get your AUDIT score and understand your drinking risk zone. Free, private, and takes less than 3 minutes.
