Is the result a diagnosis?

No. The AUDIT-C only shows whether a closer look at the patient's drinking makes sense. Only a doctor or psychotherapist can diagnose an alcohol use disorder.

Why does the tool ask whether the patient is a woman or a man?

Alcohol affects bodies differently, so research recommends different cutoffs for women and men. The patient's answer is only used to choose the right cutoff and is not stored. If they prefer not to answer, the lower cutoff is used.

What does a score at or above the cutoff mean?

It suggests possibly risky drinking. The full AUDIT additionally covers signs of dependence and alcohol-related harm.

A patient drinks every day. Can they just stop?

If a patient drinks a lot every day, stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms that can be dangerous. They should talk to a doctor before stopping, so it can be done safely.

Are the answers stored?

No. The responses are processed only in your browser and are not sent or saved anywhere.

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AUDIT-C

Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test – Consumption

A three-question quick check on how much and how often a patient drinks – the short version of the WHO's AUDIT.

Category: Alcohol & drugs
Who fills it in: Self-report
Items: 3
Recall period: Current drinking (past year)

On this page

Administer the scale

0 of 1 completed

Record the patient's response to every item. Entries stay in your browser and are never sent anywhere.

Because alcohol use can affect your health and can interfere with certain medications and treatments, it is important that we ask some questions about your use of alcohol. Your answers will remain confidential so please be honest.

1. How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
NeverMonthly or less2-4 times a month2-3 times a week4 or more times a week

Question 1 of 2

What it measures

The AUDIT-C asks only about alcohol use: three questions, each scored from 0 to 4, giving a total between 0 and 12. Unlike the full AUDIT, it does not ask about signs of dependence or alcohol-related harm.

When to use it

The AUDIT-C is a good first step when you want a quick sense of whether a patient's drinking might be risky. If their score is at or above the cutoff, the full AUDIT gives a more complete picture, including signs of dependence and harm.

Origin

The three questions come from the AUDIT, developed for the World Health Organization and published in 1993. Katharine Bush, Daniel Kivlahan, Mary McDonell, Stephan Fihn and Katharine Bradley tested these three consumption questions as a stand-alone screen in US Veterans Affairs patients and published the AUDIT-C in 1998.

Validation

In the original US study, the AUDIT-C identified heavy drinking and alcohol use disorders about as well as the full AUDIT. Common cutoffs in the US are 4 or more for men and 3 or more for women. Studies in Germany – including one in the general population and one with university students – found that slightly higher cutoffs work better there: 5 or more for men and 4 or more for women. This library uses these German cutoffs.

Limitations

The AUDIT-C is a quick screen, not a diagnosis. Because it only asks about consumption, it cannot show whether there are signs of dependence or harm – the full AUDIT does that. The best cutoff differs between countries, drink sizes and groups, and different cutoffs are recommended for women and men. Results depend on honest answers about typical drinking.

Frequently asked questions

Is the result a diagnosis?: No. The AUDIT-C only shows whether a closer look at the patient's drinking makes sense. Only a doctor or psychotherapist can diagnose an alcohol use disorder.
Why does the tool ask whether the patient is a woman or a man?: Alcohol affects bodies differently, so research recommends different cutoffs for women and men. The patient's answer is only used to choose the right cutoff and is not stored. If they prefer not to answer, the lower cutoff is used.
What does a score at or above the cutoff mean?: It suggests possibly risky drinking. The full AUDIT additionally covers signs of dependence and alcohol-related harm.
A patient drinks every day. Can they just stop?: If a patient drinks a lot every day, stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms that can be dangerous. They should talk to a doctor before stopping, so it can be done safely.
Are the answers stored?: No. The responses are processed only in your browser and are not sent or saved anywhere.

References

Bush K, Kivlahan DR, McDonell MB, Fihn SD, Bradley KA. The AUDIT alcohol consumption questions (AUDIT-C): an effective brief screening test for problem drinking. Arch Intern Med. 1998;158(16):1789-1795.
Saunders JB, Aasland OG, Babor TF, de la Fuente JR, Grant M. Development of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT): WHO Collaborative Project on Early Detection of Persons with Harmful Alcohol Consumption II. Addiction. 1993;88:791-804.
Rumpf HJ, Hapke U, Meyer C, John U. Screening for alcohol use disorders and at-risk drinking in the general population: psychometric performance of three questionnaires. Alcohol Alcohol. 2002;37(3):261-268.
Babor TF, Higgins-Biddle JC, Saunders JB, Monteiro MG. AUDIT – The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test: Guidelines for Use in Primary Care. 2nd ed. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2001.

Licence & attribution

As a WHO-approved instrument, the AUDIT is in the public domain.

No permission needed for any non-commercial purpose (the person completing it is not charged a fee). May be reproduced by any organisation if not materially changed and noted as a WHO-approved instrument.