Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test

AUDIT

Screening

Case detection

Alcohol

This instrument was developed by the World Health Organization as a simple screenign method for people whose alcohol use is excessive and detrimental to their health. It identifies the hazardous and harmful use of alcohol as well as a possible alcohol dependence.

Indicators of dependence and problems associated with use

1989

Babor TF, de la Fuente JR, Saunders J, Grant M.

The World Health Organization has the AUDIT rights reserved. The test is free but the training materials have a cost. In the following link, the interview and self-administered version of the AUDIT is provided http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/67205/1/WHO_MSD_MSB_01.6a.pdf

http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/activities/en/AUDITmanualSpanish.pdf

The AUDIT consists of 10 questions that explore use in the last 12 months, of which three questions relate to the quantity and frequency of drinking, three refer to dependence and four questions are about problems arising from alcohol use. The scores are between 0 and 40 with three different patterns: no problems with regard to drinking, hazardous drinking, harmful use and dependence. Source: Pastor FC Guard Serecigni J, Pereiro Gómez C, Bobes García J. (2013) Alcoholismo. Guías Clínicas Socidrogalcohol basadas en la evidencia científica, 101-102. http://www.socidrogalcohol.org/images/pdf/guia-alcohol-portada.pdf

Research studies have found a correlation between an increase in alcohol-related problems and an increase in the total score of the AUDIT. The AUDIT has also been found to be a valid indicator for severity of alcohol dependence, potentially expanding its utility beyond screening to also help with treatment planning.In a systematic review of screening tools for alcohol problems, the AUDIT was found to be the "most effective in identifying subjects with at-risk, hazardous, or harmful drinking" but less effective than the CAGE at detecting alcohol abuse and dependence. Research has also shown that the AUDIT's items are both reliable and highly responsive to change. Sensitivity and specificity for the AUDIT has been found to be high.

10

Self-administered or through an interview (medical or paramedical personnel), for which training is required.

Each question is scored from 0 to 4 (in questions 9 and 10 possible values ​​are 0, 2 and 4). The total score ranges from 0 to 40. There are different cut points for men and women: No alcohol-related problems (Men: 0-7; Women: 0-5); Drinker risk (H: 8-12; M: 6-12); Physical drinking problems and probable alcohol dependence (H and M: 13-40).

First level (or primary care) clinics , general hospitals, emergency, surgical or psychiatric services.

Adults. Population attending a general practitioner, prison population or with legal problems (especially those who have been fined for driving under the influence of alcohol, public intoxication, etc.), military personnel, migrants (or other vulnerable populations), employees or university students.

Bohn, MJ; Babor, TF; Kranzler, HR (July 1995). "The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT): validation of a screening instrument for use in medical settings.". Journal of studies on alcohol. 56 (4): 423–32.