What is the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and how does it work?

The AUDIT is the world’s most widely used alcohol screening tool. It was developed in 1989 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to assess three domains related to alcohol use:

1. Alcohol intake
2. Potential dependence on alcohol
3. Experience of alcohol-related harm

The tool contains 10 items and takes only about 2 minutes, making it ideal to quickly screen for alcohol-related problems. Each item asks about activity in the past year, covering areas such as the frequency, amount, and harmful effects of alcohol consumption. In Creyos Health, the AUDIT can be administered in person or self-administered remotely, and includes written guidance on the purpose of the assessment and definitions for standard drinks to help patients provide accurate information.

Responses to each item are scored from 0 to 4, then a total score is calculated with a possible range from 0 to 40. According to the WHO’s guidelines, a score of 1 to 7 suggests low-risk consumption, scores from 8 to 14 suggest hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption, and scores of 15 or more indicate alcohol dependence, or moderate to severe alcohol use disorder.

The Creyos Health version of the AUDIT is scored automatically, and a report is generated for the healthcare administrator to view and potentially share with patients. The report includes the classification of the total score, guidance on interpretation, and raw scores. If the patient has taken the AUDIT more than once, scores are tracked over time and graphed.

The AUDIT has proven to be a reliable and valid tool to screen for early stage alcohol problems. Reiner and Allen (2002) reviewed the scientific literature and found that the AUDIT generally matches longer diagnostic methods, with sensitivity and specificity usually superior to other self-report measures. They concluded that the test is reliable, valid, and practical, urging its use in clinical contexts.

For more information on using the AUDIT in clinical practice, see the WHO’s AUDIT: Guidelines for Use in Primary Health Care.

Important note: the purpose of the AUDIT is to assess alcohol consumption, drinking behaviours, and alcohol-related problems. However, it is not a standalone diagnostic tool. Any conclusions drawn from the AUDIT should be paired with clinical interviews and observations, other health examinations or assessments administered, other evaluations of the patient, and/or the patient’s family history.