Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test AUDIT
Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test AUDIT overview
Creator and Context
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a widely recognised screening tool used to identify individuals with risky or hazardous alcohol consumption patterns as well as those with established alcohol use disorders. It is designed to prompt an early response in primary care settings and is sensitive to the full spectrum of alcohol problems.
Developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1982, the AUDIT was the result of a multinational collaborative project. It was created to detect alcohol problems experienced within the past year, providing a framework for intervention to reduce or prevent harmful consequences.
Presenting Conditions
The AUDIT is specifically aimed at identifying:
Risky or hazardous alcohol consumption.
Harmful alcohol use indicating alcohol dependence.
Possible alcohol use disorders.
Administration
The AUDIT is a 10-item questionnaire that can be self-administered or conducted via interview in healthcare settings. Questions cover alcohol consumption levels, drinking behaviours, and alcohol-related problems. Responses are scored on a scale, with different items having varying score ranges.
Desired Audience
The AUDIT is suitable for use in adult populations in a variety of settings including primary care, emergency departments, general hospitals, and community health settings.
The AUDIT is used to identify individuals who would benefit from reducing or ceasing their alcohol consumption. It also serves as a guide for healthcare providers in discussing alcohol use with patients and planning interventions.
Considerations
The AUDIT is a screening tool and not a diagnostic instrument.
Cultural and social factors may influence responses and should be considered.
Follow-up diagnostic evaluation is recommended for those who score high on the AUDIT.
How to score the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test AUDIT
Conducting the assessment
Respondents answer ten questions about their recent alcohol use, each with a set of response options scored from 0 to 4. The questionnaire is quick to complete, usually taking about 2 minutes.
Interpretation
Scores range from 0 to 40. A score of 8 or more in men and 7 or more in women typically indicates hazardous or harmful alcohol use, as well as possible alcohol dependence. The higher the score, the greater the level of alcohol-related problems and dependency risks.
Scores 0-7: Low-risk alcohol consumption.
Scores 8-15: Suggestive of hazardous alcohol use.
Scores 16-19: Indicative of harmful alcohol use.
Scores 20+: Suggestive of alcohol dependence.
Clinical Considerations
Use the AUDIT to facilitate discussion about alcohol consumption.
Consider brief intervention, referral, or further assessment based on AUDIT scores.
Regular use can track changes in alcohol use over time.
Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test AUDIT use cases
Screening in primary care for early detection of risky drinking behaviors.
Use in mental health and addiction services to assess the severity of alcohol problems.
Research studies in public health to assess alcohol use trends and risks.
Category
Drug & Alcohol
Research Summary
Saunders, J. B., Aasland, O. G., Babor, T. F., de la Fuente, J. R., & Grant, M. (1993). Development of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT): WHO Collaborative Project on Early Detection of Persons with Harmful Alcohol Consumption-II. Addiction, 88(6), 791-804.
Babor, T. F., Higgins-Biddle, J. C., Saunders, J. B., & Monteiro, M. G. (2001). AUDIT: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test: Guidelines for Use in Primary Health Care. World Health Organization.
Reinert, D. F., & Allen, J. P. (2007). The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test: An Update of Research Findings. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 31(2), 185-199.
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