What Is the AUDIT Alcohol Assessment?
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a 10-question screening tool developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the 1980s. It was designed to help healthcare professionals (and individuals) identify whether a person's drinking patterns may be putting their health at risk. Since its publication, the AUDIT has become the most widely used alcohol screening instrument in the world, validated across dozens of countries, cultures, and clinical settings.
Unlike older screening tools that focus only on severe alcohol dependence, the AUDIT was specifically designed to detect the full spectrum of risky drinking, from low-risk consumption through hazardous use, harmful use, and possible dependence. This makes it valuable not just for people who suspect they have a serious problem, but for anyone who has ever wondered: “Am I drinking too much?”
The quiz above is a faithful digital implementation of the AUDIT. Your responses are scored according to the WHO's published guidelines, and your results are calculated entirely in your web browser. Nothing is saved, stored, or transmitted.
How the AUDIT Scoring Works
Each of the 10 AUDIT questions is scored on a scale. Questions 1 through 8 are scored from 0 to 4 points. Questions 9 and 10 are scored 0, 2, or 4 points. This means the maximum possible score is 40. After you complete all 10 questions, your total score is mapped to one of four risk zones established by the WHO:
- 0 to 7, Low Risk: Your drinking is within levels that the WHO considers lower risk for health consequences. This does not mean zero risk (any alcohol consumption carries some health risk), but it suggests your current patterns are unlikely to cause major problems.
- 8 to 15, Hazardous Drinking: Your alcohol consumption exceeds recommended limits and increases your risk of health problems, even if you have not experienced any yet. Many people in this zone do not realize their drinking has reached a risky level, especially if heavy drinking is common in their social circle.
- 16 to 19, Harmful Drinking: At this level, alcohol is probably already affecting your physical health, mental well-being, relationships, or ability to function in daily life. A conversation with a healthcare provider is strongly recommended.
- 20 to 40, Possible Dependence: This score suggests a pattern consistent with alcohol dependence. Professional evaluation and treatment are strongly recommended. If you drink daily, do not attempt to stop suddenly without medical supervision, because alcohol withdrawal can be medically dangerous.
Understanding the 10 AUDIT Questions
The AUDIT is divided into three domains that capture different aspects of a person's relationship with alcohol:
Questions 1-3: Alcohol Consumption
The first three questions measure how much and how often you drink. They ask about the frequency of drinking, the typical quantity consumed on a drinking day, and how often you engage in heavy episodic drinking (six or more standard drinks in one sitting). Together, these three questions capture your overall consumption pattern.
Questions 4-6: Dependence Symptoms
Questions four through six screen for signs of alcohol dependence. They ask whether you have had difficulty stopping once you started, whether drinking has interfered with your responsibilities, and whether you have needed a drink in the morning to function. These questions identify patterns that suggest your body or mind may have become reliant on alcohol.
Questions 7-10: Alcohol-Related Harm
The final four questions explore consequences of drinking: feelings of guilt or remorse, memory blackouts, alcohol-related injuries, and whether others have expressed concern about your drinking. These questions detect harm that may already be occurring, even if you do not consciously connect it to alcohol.
The Connection Between Alcohol and Anxiety
Many people who score in the hazardous or harmful zones on the AUDIT report using alcohol to cope with stress and anxiety. While alcohol may temporarily reduce anxious feelings, it actually worsens anxiety over time. Alcohol disrupts neurotransmitter balance, impairs sleep quality, and triggers a rebound anxiety effect the morning after drinking, a phenomenon sometimes called “hangxiety.” If anxiety is part of why you drink, breaking the cycle can produce dramatic improvements in your mental health within just a few weeks.
What to Do With Your Results
No online quiz can diagnose an alcohol use disorder. The AUDIT is a screening tool. It identifies patterns that may warrant further evaluation, but it does not replace a professional assessment from a doctor, therapist, or addiction specialist. Here is what we suggest based on your score range:
If You Scored 0-7 (Low Risk)
Your current drinking patterns fall within the WHO's lower-risk zone. This is a good place to be, but it is still worth periodically reassessing. Life changes (stress, loss, new social environments) can shift drinking habits gradually. Many people with low scores still benefit from taking an alcohol-free challenge and discover surprising improvements in sleep, energy, and overall well-being.
If You Scored 8-15 (Hazardous)
This is the most common range for people who take the AUDIT, and it is also the range where early intervention is most effective. You may not feel like you have a “problem,” and that is exactly the point. Hazardous drinking often feels normal because it is so culturally normalized. Consider tracking your intake, setting drink-free days, and using tools like our BAC calculator to build awareness.
If You Scored 16-19 (Harmful)
A score in this range means alcohol is likely causing real harm: physically, mentally, or socially. We strongly encourage you to speak with your doctor or a mental health professional. You do not have to hit “rock bottom” to deserve help. Early intervention dramatically improves outcomes. The SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) provides free, confidential referrals 24/7.
If You Scored 20+ (Possible Dependence)
Please reach out to a healthcare professional. This score suggests that alcohol has become deeply embedded in your daily routine, and stopping without medical support can be dangerous. Your doctor can help you create a safe plan, whether that includes outpatient support, medication-assisted treatment, or a more intensive program. You are not alone, and effective help exists.
Why Take an Alcohol Assessment Quiz?
Searching for phrases like “am I an alcoholic” or “do I drink too much” is more common than you might think. Millions of people wonder about their relationship with alcohol every month. Taking a validated screening tool like the AUDIT is a courageous first step. It replaces vague worry with concrete information that you can act on.
Many people avoid assessments because they fear the answer. But knowledge is not a sentence; it is power. Knowing where you stand allows you to make informed decisions, whether that means maintaining your current habits, making small adjustments, or seeking professional support. No matter what your score says, the fact that you took the time to reflect on your drinking speaks well of your self-awareness.
The Sober100 Approach
At Sober100, we believe that change does not require labels. You do not have to call yourself an “alcoholic” to benefit from taking a break from alcohol. Our free 100-day challenge combines daily workouts, check-ins, community support, and science-backed guidance to help you discover what life feels like without alcohol, one day at a time, for 100 days. Thousands of people have used the program to lose weight, sleep better, think more clearly, and rebuild their confidence.
Whether your AUDIT score surprised you or confirmed what you already knew, the next step is yours to take. Tools like the BAC calculator, savings calculator, and this quiz are all free and always will be. We built them because we believe everyone deserves access to honest, high-quality information about alcohol: without shame, without paywalls, and without judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this quiz confidential?
Yes. Your answers are processed entirely in your web browser using JavaScript. No data is sent to our servers, no cookies are stored, and no information is saved anywhere. When you close or refresh the page, your responses disappear completely.
Can this quiz diagnose alcoholism?
No. The AUDIT is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. It can indicate whether your drinking patterns fall into a risk category, but only a qualified healthcare professional can diagnose an alcohol use disorder. If your score concerns you, please speak with your doctor.
How accurate is the AUDIT?
The AUDIT is one of the most extensively validated alcohol screening tools in existence. Research shows it has high sensitivity (correctly identifying risky drinking) and high specificity (correctly identifying low-risk drinking) across a wide range of populations. However, its accuracy depends on honest self-reporting. The more truthful your answers, the more useful your results will be.
What is a “standard drink”?
In the United States, a standard drink contains approximately 14 grams of pure alcohol. This is roughly equivalent to 12 ounces of regular beer (5% ABV), 5 ounces of wine (12% ABV), or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (40% ABV). Many people unknowingly consume more than one standard drink per serving, especially with craft beers, generous wine pours, or mixed cocktails.
I scored low risk. Should I still be concerned?
A low-risk score is reassuring, but it does not mean alcohol is risk-free. Current medical evidence suggests there is no completely safe level of alcohol consumption. Even moderate drinking is associated with increased risk of certain cancers and other health conditions. A low AUDIT score means your current pattern is unlikely to cause acute harm, but periodic reassessment and awareness of changing habits is still worthwhile.
How often should I retake this assessment?
The WHO recommends periodic rescreening, especially during times of life change or increased stress. Taking the AUDIT once or twice a year is a reasonable practice for anyone who drinks. If you notice your habits shifting (drinking more frequently, in larger amounts, or for emotional reasons), retaking the assessment sooner is wise.