Free Online AUDIT Alcohol Use Screening Test

Understanding Your AUDIT Score: Scoring and Interpretation

The AUDIT is scored out of 40. The World Health Organization defines four risk zones based on the total score. Each of the ten items is scored 0 to 4.

Score 0–7 — Low risk

Alcohol use falls within a low-risk range. No significant concern is indicated based on this screening.

No action is required. Reassess if consumption increases.

Score 8–15 — Hazardous use

The drinking pattern carries a risk of harm. Hazardous use does not necessarily mean dependence, but it increases the likelihood of physical, psychological, and social harm over time.

Brief advice and counselling are recommended. Consider discussing your alcohol intake with a healthcare professional.

Score 16–19 — Harmful use

Alcohol consumption is causing harm to health, relationships, or daily functioning. This level warrants professional assessment and structured intervention.

A consultation with a psychiatrist or addiction specialist is recommended to assess the extent of harm and discuss management.

Score 20–40 — Possible dependence

The score suggests possible alcohol dependence. At this level, alcohol use may be difficult to control, and withdrawal symptoms may occur when not drinking.

Prompt assessment by a psychiatrist or addiction specialist is strongly advised. Medically supervised management is often required at this level.

Safety: Do Not Stop Drinking Suddenly Without Medical Advice

This is important and applies to anyone scoring in the higher ranges.

If you have been drinking heavily or daily, stopping abruptly without medical support can be dangerous. Alcohol withdrawal can cause tremors, sweating, agitation, and in severe cases, seizures or delirium tremens, which are medical emergencies.

If you are considering reducing or stopping your alcohol intake, please speak to a doctor first. Withdrawal can be managed safely with medical supervision.

If you experience shaking, sweating, nausea, confusion, or agitation after not drinking, seek medical help immediately or call 112.

What the AUDIT Measures

The AUDIT assesses alcohol use across three domains, and the pattern of your answers indicates where the main concern lies.

Questions 1–3: Alcohol consumption — frequency of drinking, typical quantity, and episodes of heavy drinking.

Questions 4–6: Dependence symptoms — impaired control over drinking, increasing priority given to alcohol, and morning drinking.

Questions 7–10: Harmful consequences — guilt or remorse, memory blackouts, injuries related to drinking, and concern expressed by others.

Important Notes on This Screening

A screening score cannot confirm or rule out an alcohol use disorder. Diagnosis requires a full clinical assessment.

Alcohol use frequently occurs alongside other mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders — sometimes as a way of coping with them. Where this is the case, addressing both together is more effective than treating either alone.

Alcohol use disorders are treatable, and outcomes are considerably better with professional support than without. If your score is 8 or above, or if alcohol is affecting your health, work, or relationships, a consultation with a qualified psychiatrist or addiction specialist is recommended.

Clinical reference: Babor TF, Higgins-Biddle JC, Saunders JB, Monteiro MG. AUDIT: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test — Guidelines for Use in Primary Care, 2nd ed. World Health Organization, 2001.

This tool is provided for screening and educational purposes only and does not constitute a clinical diagnosis or replace professional medical advice.