How it's calculated
Three questions on drinking frequency, typical quantity, and binge frequency are each scored 0-4 and summed for a total of 0-12. A positive screen is ≥4 in men or ≥3 in women.
Clinical use
- AUDIT-C is a shortened version of the 10-item AUDIT, focused only on alcohol consumption (not consequences or dependence symptoms), making it faster to use as a routine screening tool.
- Commonly used in primary care and occupational health screening — brief enough to include in a periodic health check without a separate dedicated visit.
- A positive screen should prompt further assessment (the full AUDIT, or a clinical interview) rather than being treated as a diagnosis on its own.
Frequently asked questions
What is AUDIT-C used for?
AUDIT-C is a 3-question screening tool for hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption, derived from the longer 10-item AUDIT questionnaire, commonly used in primary care and occupational health settings.
What score counts as positive on AUDIT-C?
A total score of 4 or more in men, or 3 or more in women, is generally considered a positive screen for hazardous drinking, though some protocols use slightly different cutoffs.
How is AUDIT-C different from CAGE?
CAGE screens for signs of alcohol dependence/problem drinking through 4 yes/no questions about guilt, annoyance, and morning drinking. AUDIT-C instead quantifies actual consumption (frequency and quantity), making the two tools complementary rather than interchangeable.
References
- Bush K, et al. The AUDIT alcohol consumption questions (AUDIT-C). Arch Intern Med. 1998;158:1789-1795.
- Bradley KA, et al. AUDIT-C as a brief screen for alcohol misuse in primary care. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2007;31:1208-1217.