The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test: An Update of Research Findings

Abstract

Background: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) has been extensively researched to determine its capability to accurately and practically screen for alcohol problems.Methods: During the 5 years since our previous review of the literature, a large number of additional studies have been published on the AUDIT, abbreviated versions of it, its psychometric properties, and the applicability of the AUDIT for a diverse array of populations. The current article summarizes new findings and integrates them with results of previous research. It also suggests some issues that we believe are particularly in need of further study.Results: A growing body of research evidence supports the criterion validity of English version of the AUDIT as a screen for alcohol dependence as well as for less severe alcohol problems. Nevertheless, the cut-points for effective detection of hazardous drinking as well as identification of alcohol dependence or harmful use in women need to be lowered from the originally recommended value of 8 points. The AUDIT-C, the most popular short version of the AUDIT consisting solely of its 3 consumption items, is approximately equal in accuracy to the full AUDIT. Psychometric properties of the AUDIT, such as test-retest reliability and internal consistency, are quite favorable. Continued research is urged to establish the psychometric properties of non-English versions of the AUDIT, use of the AUDIT with adolescents and with older adults, and selective inclusion of alcohol biomarkers with the AUDIT in some instances.Conclusions: Research continues to support use of the AUDIT as a means of screening for the spectrum of alcohol use disorders in various settings and with diverse populations.

Riskanter Alkoholkonsum und Rauschtrinken unter Berücksichtigung von Verletzungen und der Inanspruchnahme alkoholspezifischer medizinischer Beratung

“…Der maximale AUDIT-C-Summenwert beträgt 12. Risikokonsum besteht bei einem Wert von >3 bei Frauen und >4 bei Männern [23,24]. Rauschkonsum lag anhand der dritten Frage vor, wenn jemand 6 oder mehr alkoholische Getränke bei einer Gelegenheit, mindestens einmal im Monat oder häufiger getrunken hat.…”

Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a Telehealth Collaborative Care Program for Persons with HIV Infection in a Rural Setting

“…Data included vital signs (i.e. blood pressure and body mass index), selected laboratory values (CD4 count, HIV viral load, lipids, blood glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin), vaccinations received, and results from screenings routinely performed during CBOC visits [alcohol use by Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) questions, 5 depression screening using the Patient Health Questionnaire, 6 and tobacco screening and cessation counseling].…”

Experiences of victimization among adolescents with Substance Abuse Disorders in Sweden

“…‡The AUDIT-C consists of the three consumption questions in the original AUDIT screening instrument and is aimed at identifying risky drinking. These figures represent the percentage of individuals assessed as having risky alcohol consumption on the basis of the limits of 4 for girls and 5 for boys in the AUDIT-C (35) §The term primary drug refers to the drug that causes the adolescent the most problems at the start of treatment (36) A total of 21% of the adolescents reported that they had been exposed to two different forms of violence or abuse, and 8% reported three forms. Gender differences are apparent here, with 24% of girls having been exposed to all three forms of violence or abuse as compared with only 1% of boys.…”