The AUDIT-C is a brief alcohol screening tool that helps healthcare providers identify patients who are hazardous drinkers or have active alcohol use disorders (including alcohol abuse or dependence). AUDIT-C stands for Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test – Consumption. It is a shortened version of the original 10-question AUDIT instrument developed by the World Health Organization.
The AUDIT-C consists of just three questions, focusing specifically on alcohol consumption:
- How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
- Options range from “Never” (scored as 0) to “Four or more times a week” (scored as 4).
- How many standard drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking?
- Responses vary from “1 or 2” (scored as 0) to “10 or more” (scored as 4).
- How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion?
- Again, responses range from “Never” (scored as 0) to “Daily or almost daily” (scored as 4).
The scores for each question are summed to give a total score ranging from 0 to 12. In men, a score of 4 or more is considered positive (indicative of hazardous drinking or active alcohol use disorders), while in women, a score of 3 or more is used as the cut-off.
The AUDIT-C is a useful screening tool because it is short, easy to administer, and can be integrated into general health assessments. It’s particularly effective in primary care settings, emergency departments, and other medical settings for quickly assessing alcohol consumption levels and identifying individuals who may benefit from further evaluation or intervention for alcohol use.
However, it’s important to note that while the AUDIT-C is a useful screening tool, it is not a diagnostic tool. A positive screen indicates the need for further assessment to determine the presence and severity of an alcohol use disorder.