AUDIT Test

Answer 10 WHO-validated AUDIT questions to assess alcohol consumption patterns. Get total score, dependence and harm sub-scores, and gender-specific risk interpretation.

Complete the 10-question WHO AUDIT alcohol screening test to assess your drinking patterns

Gender (for risk assessment)

Consumption (Questions 1–3)

1. How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?

2. How many standard drinks do you have on a typical day when drinking?

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

Dependence (Questions 4–6)

4. How often during the past year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?

5. How often during the past year have you failed to do what was normally expected of you because of drinking?

6. How often during the past year have you needed a first drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?

Alcohol-Related Harm (Questions 7–10)

7. How often during the past year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?

8. How often during the past year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because of your drinking?

9. Have you or someone else been injured as a result of your drinking?

10. Has a relative, friend, doctor, or other health worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down?

About This Calculator

The AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) is a 10-question screening tool developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to identify hazardous drinking, harmful alcohol use, and potential alcohol dependence. It is the most widely validated and internationally recognized alcohol screening instrument, used in primary care settings across India, the United States, the United Kingdom, and over 190 countries worldwide.

The full AUDIT test covers three domains. Questions 1-3 (Consumption) assess the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption and binge drinking episodes. Questions 4-6 (Dependence) evaluate dependence symptoms including impaired control over drinking, neglect of responsibilities, and withdrawal relief drinking. Questions 7-10 (Alcohol-Related Harm) identify harmful consequences such as guilt, blackouts, injuries, and concern expressed by others. Questions 1-8 are scored 0 to 4, and questions 9-10 are scored 0, 2, or 4, for a total score range of 0 to 40.

How the scoring works: The total score is interpreted using gender-specific thresholds. For men, 0-7 indicates low risk, 8-15 moderate risk, 16-19 harmful use, and 20+ severe dependence. For women, the low-risk threshold is 0-6 due to higher vulnerability to alcohol-related harm. The dependence sub-score (Q4-Q6) is flagged at 4 or more points, and any positive score on the alcohol-related harm sub-score (Q7-Q10) is a red flag requiring further investigation.

Regional notes: The WHO AUDIT is used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) in the US, the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India. Standard drink definitions vary by country — 14 grams of alcohol in the US, 8 grams in the UK, and approximately 10 grams in India — but the AUDIT test's ordinal response categories ensure consistent scoring across all regions. The AUDIT has been validated in multiple languages and cultural contexts, making it suitable for diverse populations.

Important disclaimer: This calculator provides reference information based on the WHO AUDIT guidelines. Results should be verified by a healthcare professional. It is not a diagnostic tool and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AUDIT alcohol screening test?

The AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) is a 10-question screening tool developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to identify hazardous drinking, harmful alcohol use, and potential alcohol dependence. It covers three domains: alcohol consumption (Q1-Q3), dependence symptoms (Q4-Q6), and alcohol-related harm (Q7-Q10).

How is the full AUDIT test scored?

Questions 1 through 8 are scored 0 to 4. Questions 9 and 10 are scored 0, 2, or 4. The total score ranges from 0 to 40. Three sub-scores are calculated: Consumption (Q1-Q3, range 0-12), Dependence (Q4-Q6, range 0-12), and Alcohol-Related Harm (Q7-Q10, range 0-16).

How is the AUDIT score interpreted by gender?

For men: 0-7 is low risk, 8-15 moderate risk, 16-19 harmful use, and 20+ severe dependence. For women: 0-6 is low risk, 7-15 moderate risk, 16-19 harmful use, and 20+ severe dependence. Women have a lower threshold because they metabolize alcohol differently and are at higher risk of alcohol-related harm at lower consumption levels.

What does the dependence sub-score (Q4-Q6) indicate?

Questions 4-6 assess alcohol dependence symptoms including impaired control over drinking (Q4), neglecting responsibilities due to drinking (Q5), and morning drinking to relieve withdrawal (Q6). A score of 4 or more in this domain indicates significant alcohol dependence and warrants professional evaluation regardless of the total AUDIT score.

What does the alcohol-related harm sub-score (Q7-Q10) mean?

Questions 7-10 assess alcohol-related harm: guilt or remorse after drinking (Q7), memory blackouts (Q8), alcohol-related injuries (Q9), and concern expressed by others (Q10). Any positive score in this domain is a red flag indicating ongoing alcohol-related harm that requires professional attention.

Can I skip questions if I never drink?

Yes. If you answer 'Never' to question 1 (How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?), the WHO recommends skipping questions 2-8 and proceeding directly to questions 9 and 10. All 10 questions should still be answered if you scored 1 or more on question 1. The calculator handles all combinations of responses.

Can the AUDIT test be used for self-assessment?

Yes. The AUDIT test is validated for both clinical use and self-assessment. However, results should not replace a professional evaluation. If your score falls in the moderate to severe range, or if you are concerned about your drinking, consult a healthcare provider. Many resources are available: in the US call SAMHSA (1-800-662-4357), in the UK contact NHS alcohol services, and in India seek help from de-addiction centers or mental health professionals.

How is the full AUDIT different from the AUDIT-C?

The AUDIT-C consists of the first 3 consumption questions only (Q1-Q3) and is used as a brief initial screening tool. The full AUDIT adds 7 more questions covering dependence symptoms (Q4-Q6) and alcohol-related problems (Q7-Q10), providing a comprehensive assessment. The full AUDIT takes 2-5 minutes to complete compared to under 1 minute for the AUDIT-C.