How many standard drinks do you typically have on a drinking day?
1 standard drink = 10 g of pure ethanol ≈ 30 mL of spirits, 100 mL of wine, 250 mL of beer
How often do you have 6 or more drinks on one occasion?
About this score
AUDIT-C (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption) is a shortened, three-item version of the full AUDIT, developed by Bush K et al (Arch Intern Med 1998). It is used as a rapid screen for problem alcohol use in primary care.
The three items cover frequency of drinking, typical quantity per occasion, and episodes of binge drinking (≥6 standard drinks on one occasion). Each item is scored 0-4, for a total range of 0-12.
Thresholds: a score ≥4 in men and ≥3 in women is a positive screen, indicating an increased likelihood of hazardous or harmful drinking. A score ≥8 suggests a high probability of alcohol dependence. WHO guidance (2021) includes AUDIT-C as a standard screening tool for primary care and periodic health checkups.
When to use
Routine screening during a primary care visit.
Annual health checkup or preventive examination.
Before prescribing hepatotoxic drugs, or when transaminases are elevated.
When a patient, or their family, raises concerns about alcohol use.
Parameters in detail
How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
Drinking frequency: 0 - never, 1 - monthly or less, 2 - 2-4 times a month, 3 - 2-3 times a week, 4 - ≥4 times a week.
How many standard drinks do you typically have on a drinking day?
Typical number of standard drinks on a drinking day: 0 - 1-2, 1 - 3-4, 2 - 5-6, 3 - 7-9, 4 - ≥10.
How often do you have 6 or more drinks on one occasion?
Frequency of drinking ≥6 drinks on one occasion: 0 - never, 1 - less than monthly, 2 - monthly, 3 - weekly, 4 - daily or almost daily.
Clinical example
Case
A 45-year-old man at a primary care visit. On AUDIT-C, he reports drinking 2-3 times a week, typically 5-6 drinks per evening, with ≥6 drinks on one occasion about once a week.
AUDIT-C ≥8 indicates a high probability of alcohol dependence. Next steps: administer the full 10-item AUDIT, consider the CAGE questionnaire, evaluate for physical sequelae (ALT/AST, GGT, MCV, FibroScan), and screen for withdrawal symptoms. Provide brief intervention at the visit, refer to an addiction specialist or therapist, and discuss non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment options (naltrexone, acamprosate).
Limitations and cautions
A screen, not a diagnosis; a positive AUDIT-C requires follow-up with the full AUDIT and a clinical interview.
Depends on patient honesty; underreporting is common.
Thresholds may be lower in older adults due to altered tolerance (some guidelines use ≥3 for men ≥65 years).
In pregnancy, any alcohol use warrants intervention; the standard score thresholds are less applicable.
Definitions vary by country, but a commonly used standard is ~12 g of pure ethanol: 30 mL of vodka (40%), 100 mL of wine (12%), or 250 mL of beer (5%).
AUDIT-C vs CAGE?
AUDIT-C is more accurate for screening current problem drinking because it includes quantity-based items. CAGE is shorter (4 items) and leans toward detecting dependence, but is less sensitive.
At what score should a patient be referred to an addiction specialist?
≥8 - consider referral. ≥4 (men)/≥3 (women) - discussion with the patient and brief intervention are warranted. The decision to refer to a specialist is individualized.
Is it validated in adolescents?
The standard thresholds are not validated in adolescents; any regular use is considered problematic in this age group.
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Aleksandr A. Aulov
Physician, internal medicine, Sechenov School — independent medical education platform.
Calculators are compiled from the original publications and current clinical guidelines. Interpretation thresholds follow the source study unless stated otherwise.
This calculator is intended for healthcare professionals. Do not use it for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Management decisions are made by the treating clinician based on the full clinical picture of the individual patient.
Last clinical review: April 28, 2026 ·
Author: Aleksandr A. Aulov,
MD, internal medicine ·
Primary source: Bush K et al. Arch Intern Med 1998; 158(16): 1789-1795