Addiction MedSubstance UseClinicians & PublicPublic Domain
AUDIT-C
Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption
Rapidly identifies hazardous alcohol consumption patterns in primary care and outpatient settings.
3 items·Estimated time: ~2 min·Evidence references below
Interactive Assessment
0 of 3 answered (0%)
Biological Sex:
Question 1 of 3Press 1–5 to select answer
How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
About the AUDIT-C
Validated 3-item alcohol screen that reliably identifies hazardous drinkers and active alcohol use disorders.
Scoring Methodology & Interpretation
The AUDIT-C uses a validated sum algorithm with predefined clinical cutoffs established in peer-reviewed derivation and validation cohorts:
| Score Range | Severity Classification | Clinical Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 3 | Low-Risk Drinking Pattern | Scores below the gender cutoff (men < 4, women < 3) indicate low-risk consumption. |
| 4 – 12 | Positive Screen for Hazardous Drinking | Identifies patients drinking at hazardous levels or with potential alcohol dependence. |
Clinical Pearls & Considerations
- Cutoff is ≥ 4 for men and ≥ 3 for women in the United States according to VA and NIAAA standards.
Copyright & Intellectual Property Attribution:
World Health Organization (WHO). Public domain screening instrument.
License: Public Domain / Free for clinical use
Clinical Disclaimer & Scope of Use
This instrument is designed for educational, informational, and clinical reference purposes. Screening scores do not constitute a definitive medical diagnosis. Individual clinical management must integrate full diagnostic history, physical examination, and laboratory data by a licensed healthcare professional.
- Self-reporting may underestimate actual intake due to social desirability bias.
- Definition of standard drink varies internationally.
Read our full Medical Disclaimer and Privacy Policy.
Evidence & Primary Literature Citations
- Key Validation StudyThe AUDIT alcohol consumption questions (AUDIT-C): an effective brief screening test for problem drinking.Bush K, Kivlahan DR, McDonell MB, Fihn SD, Bradley KA. Arch Intern Med. 1998;158:1789-1795.