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AUDIT-C Alcohol Use Screen

The AUDIT-C uses the first three AUDIT consumption questions (0–12 points) to screen for alcohol misuse. A score ≥4 in men or ≥3 in women is a positive screen; higher scores mean greater risk.

  • Sex: Male; Female
  • How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?: Never (0); Monthly or less (1); 2–4 times a month (2); 2–3 times a week (3); 4 or more times a week (4)
  • How many standard drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking?: 1 or 2 (0); 3 or 4 (1); 5 or 6 (2); 7 to 9 (3); 10 or more (4)
  • How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion?: Never (0); Less than monthly (1); Monthly (2); Weekly (3); Daily or almost daily (4)
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Interpretation

ResultMeaning
Men ≥ 4Positive screen
Women ≥ 3Positive screen
Higher scoresGreater likelihood of hazardous drinking or alcohol use disorder

Formula

Q1 frequency (0–4) + Q2 drinks on a typical drinking day (0–4) + Q3 frequency of ≥6 drinks on one occasion (0–4). Range 0–12. Positive: ≥4 men, ≥3 women.

Clinical pearls

  • If all points come from Q1 alone (frequent but small drinks), consider that the patient may be drinking below recommended limits.
  • Drinks are standard drinks (about 10 g ethanol in the WHO version; 14 g in the US, 13.6 g in Canada).
  • A positive AUDIT-C should be followed by the full AUDIT or a clinical assessment for alcohol use disorder.

Examples

audit-c 45 year old man drinks 2-3 times a week, 3 or 4 drinks, binge monthlyaudit c female drinks 2-4 times a month 1-2 drinks never 6 or morealcohol screen for a woman drinking daily, 5 or 6 drinks, weekly binges

FAQ

What is a positive AUDIT-C score?

A score of 4 or more in men, or 3 or more in women, is a positive screen for alcohol misuse (Bradley 2007).

Why is the cut-off lower for women?

Women reach equivalent blood alcohol levels and harms at lower intake, and the cut-off of 3 best balanced sensitivity and specificity in women.

Evidence

  1. Bush K et al. The AUDIT alcohol consumption questions (AUDIT-C): an effective brief screening test for problem drinking. Arch Intern Med 1998;158:1789–95.
  2. Bradley KA et al. AUDIT-C as a brief screen for alcohol misuse in primary care. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2007;31:1208–17.

Psychiatry & Substance Use · Reviewed 2026-10-14 · Methodology