AUDIT-C Calculator

questionnaire

How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?

How many standard drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when drinking?

How often do you have 6 or more drinks on one occasion?

✓ when to use

Use as a brief alcohol screening tool in primary care, ED, pre-operative assessment, and any clinical setting where routine alcohol screening is indicated. Takes under 1 minute. A positive AUDIT-C should trigger brief intervention/advice and may warrant completing the full 10-item AUDIT for comprehensive assessment. Endorsed for routine screening by USPSTF, NICE, and WHO.

✗ when not to use

The AUDIT-C screens for consumption patterns, not dependence. A high score suggests hazardous drinking but does not diagnose alcohol use disorder — clinical assessment is required. Scores may be underestimated due to social desirability bias. Not validated in adolescents <18 — use CRAFFT. 'Standard drink' definitions vary by country (UK = 8g alcohol, US = 14g) — ensure the patient understands the local definition.

clinical pearls

Sex-specific thresholds improve performance: ≥4 for men, ≥3 for women. Using a single threshold of ≥4 for all patients will miss approximately 20% of women with hazardous drinking.
A score of 0 = abstinent, which is itself clinically informative and should be documented. It also rules out alcohol-related conditions without further questioning.
The AUDIT-C focuses on consumption only. It does not capture dependence features (tolerance, withdrawal, loss of control). If AUDIT-C is positive, consider the full AUDIT or CAGE for dependence screening.
In perioperative settings, a positive AUDIT-C should prompt assessment for alcohol withdrawal risk and potential need for prophylaxis (chlordiazepoxide/benzodiazepine protocols).
'Standard drink' is the most misunderstood concept in alcohol screening. In the UK, a standard drink = 1 unit = 8g alcohol = ~half a pint of ordinary beer. In the US, a standard drink = 14g. Ensure patients understand what is being asked.

✓ when to use

✗ when not to use

clinical pearls

Sex-specific thresholds improve performance: ≥4 for men, ≥3 for women. Using a single threshold of ≥4 for all patients will miss approximately 20% of women with hazardous drinking.
A score of 0 = abstinent, which is itself clinically informative and should be documented. It also rules out alcohol-related conditions without further questioning.
The AUDIT-C focuses on consumption only. It does not capture dependence features (tolerance, withdrawal, loss of control). If AUDIT-C is positive, consider the full AUDIT or CAGE for dependence screening.
In perioperative settings, a positive AUDIT-C should prompt assessment for alcohol withdrawal risk and potential need for prophylaxis (chlordiazepoxide/benzodiazepine protocols).
'Standard drink' is the most misunderstood concept in alcohol screening. In the UK, a standard drink = 1 unit = 8g alcohol = ~half a pint of ordinary beer. In the US, a standard drink = 14g. Ensure patients understand what is being asked.

AUDIT-C

questionnaire

✓ when to use

✗ when not to use

clinical pearls

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