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Alcohol Use Self-Screen

Below are questions about your use of alcoholic beverages during the past year. Please read each question and click the answer that describes your alcohol use most accurately.  

NOTE: Definition of a standard drink

All questions below that ask about number of drinks should be interpreted in terms of standard drinks. A standard drink refers to 10g of pure alcohol per serving. For an easy guide, the following drinks represent 1 standard drink: 425ml light beer (1 schooner), 285ml full strength beer (1 middy), 100ml white wine, 60ml red wine, and 30ml spirits (1 nip).    

1. How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
Never
Monthly or less
2 - 4 times a month
2 - 3 times a week
4 or more times per week

2. How many drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking? (Make sure you calculate in standard drinks!)
1 or 2
3 or 4
5 or 6
7 to 9
10 or more

3. How often do you have 6 or more drinks on one occasion?
Never
Less than monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Daily or almost daily

4. How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started? 
Never
Less than monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Daily or almost daily

5. How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected of you because of drinking?
Never           
Less than monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Daily or almost daily

6. How often during the last year have you needed a first drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?
Never           
Less than monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Daily or almost daily

7. How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?
Never
Less than monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Daily or almost daily

8. How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because of your drinking?
Never
Less than monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Daily or almost daily

9. Have you or someone else been injured because of your drinking?
No
Yes, but not in the last year
Yes, during the last year

10. Has a relative, friend, doctor, or other health care worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down?
No
Yes, but not in the last year
Yes, during the last year

(Please make sure that you have answered all questions)

 

Your total Alcohol use score is:  

PLEASE NOTE: If you believe that you have a drinking problem, you should seek professional help.

Below you will find a guide to interpret your score. If your total score suggests alcohol use related problems, we strongly suggest that you contact us or your GP to discuss it further. 

Scores 0 - 7     = Risk Zone I
If your score fell within this category, you are considered a low risk drinker or someone who is abstaining from alcohol use. No assistance is necessary as your alcohol use is not interfering with your functioning. To make sure that you are safe, try to maintain this level at all times. 

Scores 8 - 15   = Risk Zone II
If your score fell within this category, you are considered an excessive drinker and your drinking may be causing you harm already. You may need simple advice about reducing your drinking and/or addressing more complex problems. If you answered "yes" to either question 9 or 10, we suggest you contact us or your GP to arrange a brief discussion about alcohol use. We also strongly recommend that you read the Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol, particularly between page 23 and page 29.  

Scores 16 - 19 = Risk Zone III
If your score fell within this category, you are considered a high risk or hazardous drinker. You would benefit from alcohol related information and brief counselling and you may also need monitoring. We suggest that you read the Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol, particularly between page 20 and page 40. We also suggest that you contact us or your GP to discuss an alcohol use assessment. Remember, often 3 - 4 alcohol counselling sessions can initiate change in your long term use and behaviour.  

Scores 20 - 40 = Risk Zone IV
If your score fell within this category, you are considered alcohol dependent. We strongly recommend that you contact us or your GP to arrange an assessment of your alcohol use. You may also consider contacting Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) within your area.    

                                                                                                     

Reference:

Babor, T. F., Higgins-Biddle, J. C., Saunders, J. B., & Monterio, M. G. (2001). The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test: Guidelines for Use in Primary Care. World Health Organisation: Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence. Access: AUDIT Manual