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AUDIT-C - Overview

The AUDIT-C is a 3-item alcohol screen that can help identify persons who are hazardous

drinkers or have active alcohol use disorders (including alcohol abuse or dependence).

The AUDIT-C is a modified version of the 10 question AUDIT instrument.

Clinical Utility

The AUDIT-C is a brief alcohol screen that reliably identifies patients who are hazardous

drinkers or have active alcohol use disorders.

Scoring

The AUDIT-C is scored on a scale of 0-12.

Each AUDIT-C question has 5 answer choices. Points allotted are:

a = 0 points, b = 1 point, c = 2 points, d = 3 points, e = 4 points

In men, a score of 4 or more is considered positive, optimal for identifying hazardous

drinking or active alcohol use disorders.

In women, a score of 3 or more is considered positive (same as above).

However, when the points are all from Question #1 alone (#2 & #3 are zero), it can be

assumed that the patient is drinking below recommended limits and it is suggested that the

provider review the patient’s alcohol intake over the past few months to confirm accuracy.

Generally, the higher the score, the more likely it is that the patient’s drinking is affecting his

or her safety.

Psychometric Properties

For identifying patients with heavy/hazardous drinking and/or Active-DSM alcohol

abuse or dependence

Men

Women

≥3

Sens: 0.95 / Spec. 0.60

Sens: 0.66 / Spec. 0.94

≥4

Sens: 0.86 / Spec. 0.72

Sens: 0.48 / Spec. 0.99

For identifying patients with active alcohol abuse or dependence

≥ 3

Sens: 0.90 / Spec. 0.45

Sens: 0.80 / Spec. 0.87

≥ 4

Sens: 0.79 / Spec. 0.56

Sens: 0.67 / Spec. 0.94

1. Bush K, Kivlahan DR, McDonell MB, et al. The AUDIT Alcohol Consumption Questions (AUDIT-C): An effective

brief screening test for problem drinking. Arch Internal Med. 1998 (3): 1789-1795.

2. Bradley KA, Bush KR, Epler AJ, et al. Two brief alcohol-screening tests from the Alcohol Use Disorders

Identification Test (AUDIT): Validation in a female veterans affairs patient population. Arch Internal Med Vol

163, April 2003: 821-829.

3. Frequently Asked Questions guide to using the AUDIT-C can be found via the website:

Alcoholic Risk Assessment