Developed by the World Health Organization in 1982, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a quick questionnaire to help determine an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. The test is based on ten questions:
- How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
- How many drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking?
- How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion?
- How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you started?
- How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected from you because of drinking?
- How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because you had been drinking?
- How often during the last year have you needed an alcoholic drink first thing in the morning to get yourself going after a night of heavy drinking?
- How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?
- Have you or someone else been injured as a result of your drinking?
- Has a relative, friend, doctor or another health professional expressed concern about your drinking or suggested you cut down?
Each multiple-choice answer has a number of points associated with it. 8 or more points may indicate an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
Drug and alcohol screening tools such as AUDIT and the DSM-5 produced by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism are designed to help those who may be suffering from Alcohol Use Disorder recognize their dependence or addiction to the substance. It is essential that anyone who believes that they have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol they seek help immediately.