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Alcohol - problem drinking - Management
How should I interpret the AUDIT questionnaire?
- Use AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) to identify the person's risk through drinking:
- Low-risk drinking: score of 1–7.
- Hazardous drinking: score of 8–15.
- Harmful drinking: score of 16–19.
- Possible alcohol dependence: score of 20 or more.
- Use professional judgement to revise AUDIT cut-offs downwards (that is to increase sensitivity) when screening:
- Women, including those who are, or plan to become, pregnant.
- People 65 years of age and older.
- People from some black and minority ethnic groups.
- Manage the person according to their risk. See Scenario: Hazardous/harmful drinking and Scenario: Dependence on alcohol (after confirmation of dependence).
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