Short MAST-Geriatric (SMAST-G)

Do you tend to underestimate how much you actually drink?

After a few drinks, do you sometimes skip meals because you are not hungry?

Do a few drinks help settle shakiness or tremor?

Does alcohol sometimes make it hard to remember parts of the day or night?

Do you usually take a drink to relax or calm your nerves?

Do you drink to take your mind off your troubles?

Have you increased your drinking after a loss in your life?

Has a doctor or nurse ever voiced concern about your drinking?

Have you ever set yourself rules to manage your drinking?

When you feel lonely, does having a drink help?

Result0 points

Fewer than two positive responses; screen negative.

Screening older adults for alcohol misuse, where classic screens are less sensitive.

Ten yes/no items; each 'yes' scores 1. A total of 2 or more is a positive screen for an alcohol problem.

Tailored to older adults, in whom age-related changes lower the threshold for alcohol-related harm.
A positive screen warrants a fuller diagnostic assessment, not an immediate diagnosis.