Addiction Calculator (AUDIT Alcohol Screener)
This calculator uses the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), a 10-question screening tool developed by the World Health Organization. Answer each question as honestly as you can - there are no right or wrong answers. Your total score (0 to 40) places you in one of four risk zones, each with a clear, evidence-based recommendation. The tool takes about two minutes to complete.
What is the AUDIT questionnaire?
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was developed by the World Health Organization in 1989 following a six-country collaborative study. It is now the most widely used alcohol screening instrument in primary care and research worldwide. The test contains 10 questions covering three domains: hazardous consumption (frequency and quantity of drinking, including binge episodes), signs of alcohol dependence (inability to stop, role failure, morning drinking), and harmful consequences (guilt, blackouts, injury, and concern from others). Each of the first eight questions is scored 0 to 4; the final two questions are scored 0, 2, or 4. A total score above 7 indicates that drinking has moved beyond low-risk levels.
How the three domains break down
Domain 1 (questions 1-3, maximum 12 points) captures your drinking pattern: how often you drink, how much on a typical day, and how often you binge. Domain 2 (questions 4-6, maximum 12 points) screens for dependence features: loss of control, failing normal duties, and needing a morning drink. Domain 3 (questions 7-10, maximum 16 points) covers real-world harm: guilt after drinking, memory blackouts, injuries, and concern raised by people around you. Looking at each domain separately helps identify where the problem lies - a high Domain 1 score alone often means hazardous but not yet dependent use, while high Domain 2 or 3 scores suggest a more serious situation.
What low-risk drinking looks like
Health authorities in most countries define low-risk (formerly called "sensible") drinking as no more than 14 units per week for adults, spread across at least three days, with several alcohol-free days. A unit is 10 ml of pure alcohol. That is equivalent to about one small glass of wine, half a pint of regular beer, or a single measure of spirits. Drinking above these levels raises the risk of liver disease, cardiovascular problems, certain cancers, mental health conditions, and accidents. The AUDIT captures this risk systematically and gives it a score, which makes it easier to track change over time.
What to do with your score
A score in Zone I (0-7) means your drinking is currently low-risk; periodic self-monitoring is all that is usually needed. Zone II (8-15) calls for brief advice from a GP or practice nurse - studies show that a single 5-to-10-minute counselling conversation reduces consumption by about 25% on average. Zone III (16-19) warrants structured brief intervention with follow-up monitoring. Zone IV (20+) indicates a high likelihood of alcohol dependence and warrants referral to an addiction medicine specialist or treatment programme. Whatever your score, this tool is a screening aid and not a diagnosis - a healthcare professional is the right person to make that assessment.
AUDIT risk zones and recommended interventions
| Score | Zone | Risk level | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-7 | Zone I | Low risk | Alcohol education |
| 8-15 | Zone II | Hazardous / harmful use | Simple brief advice |
| 16-19 | Zone III | Harmful use | Brief counselling and monitoring |
| 20-40 | Zone IV | Possible dependence | Specialist referral and assessment |
World Health Organization scoring zones from the AUDIT Manual (Babor et al., 2001).
Frequently asked questions
Is the AUDIT the same as the CAGE questionnaire?
No. CAGE is a four-question tool that screens broadly for potential alcohol problems but does not measure severity or provide a graduated score. AUDIT is longer (10 questions), covers three distinct domains, and gives a 0-40 score that maps to four intervention zones. AUDIT is generally considered more sensitive and is recommended by the WHO for primary care screening.
What counts as a standard drink?
The definition varies slightly by country. In the UK a unit is 8-10 ml of pure alcohol; in Australia it is 10 ml; in the US it is about 14 ml (0.6 oz). For AUDIT purposes, a standard drink is typically taken as 10 g of pure alcohol, which equals roughly one small wine glass (125 ml at 12%), one can of regular-strength beer (330 ml at 5%), or one shot of spirits (25 ml at 40%). If you are in doubt, check the units printed on the label.
Can I use this calculator for drugs other than alcohol?
The AUDIT is validated specifically for alcohol. For other substances, separate tools exist: the DAST-10 (Drug Abuse Screening Test) covers general drug use, the FTND (Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence) covers tobacco, and the DUDIT (Drug Use Disorders Identification Test) mirrors the AUDIT structure for illicit drugs. These tools are not interchangeable.
Does a high score mean I am definitely dependent on alcohol?
No. The AUDIT is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. A score of 20 or above indicates a high likelihood of dependence, but diagnosis requires a full clinical assessment by a qualified healthcare provider. Some people score high due to a recent heavy period that does not reflect their usual pattern, while others with genuine dependence may score lower if they underreport their drinking.
How accurate is the AUDIT?
The AUDIT has been validated in dozens of countries. Using a cut-off of 8, it identifies hazardous or harmful drinking with a sensitivity of around 92% and a specificity of around 94% in primary care settings, meaning it correctly flags most people who have a problem and correctly clears most people who do not. Its accuracy is slightly lower in some populations (older adults, adolescents) where different cut-off scores may be used.
How often should I take this test?
Many GPs use the AUDIT or AUDIT-C (the three-question short version) as a routine annual screen during health checks. If your score is in Zone II or above and you are actively working on reducing your drinking, retaking the full AUDIT every 3-6 months gives a useful measure of progress. A lower score over time is a meaningful indicator that brief advice or treatment is working.