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AUDIT-C for alcohol use

Three-item screen for unhealthy alcohol consumption.

AUDIT-C for alcohol use
How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
How many standard drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when drinking?
How often do you have 6 or more drinks on one occasion?
Sex
Result0/12

Score is below the sex-specific threshold (4) for unhealthy alcohol use.

AUDIT-C score
0/12

When to use

  • Brief screening for unhealthy or risky alcohol consumption in primary care or ambulatory settings.

Formula

Sum of 3 items, each scored 0-4 by frequency/quantity. Range 0-12; commonly used positive-screen thresholds are >=4 for men and >=3 for women.

Pearls and pitfalls

  • A shortened, consumption-only version of the 10-item AUDIT; it does not assess dependence symptoms or alcohol-related harm.
  • Higher scores correlate with greater likelihood of hazardous drinking but are not diagnostic of alcohol use disorder.

References

  1. Bush K, et al. Arch Intern Med. 1998;158(16):1789-95.