Alcoholism Self-Assessment

A number of assessment tools are available to assist with diagnosis of a possible drinking problem. A number of web sites provide assessment information, with a sampling of common ones listed below.

• http://www.mayohealth.org/mayo/common/htm (search word 'alcohol')
• http://www.nih.gov (Search NIH; key words alcohol assessment)
• http://www.arf.org/isd/info.html (click on Drinking Evaluation)

Assessment for Alcoholism

Alcoholism is diagnosed by specific criteria as outlined in the DSM-IV, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual¹, published by the American Psychiatric Association.

Criteria for Substance Dependence A maladaptive pattern of substance use, leading to clinically significant impairment of distress, as manifested by three (or more) of the following, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period.

1. tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
   1. a need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication of desired effect.
   2. markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance.
2. withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:
   1. the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance (refer to Criteria A and B for the criteria sets for Withdrawal from the specific substances)
   2. the same (or a closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
3. the substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.
4. there is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use.
5. a great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance (e.g., visiting multiple doctors or driving long distances), use the substance (e.g., chain-smoking), or recover from its effects.
6. important social, occupation, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use.
7. the substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance (e.g., current cocaine use despite recognition of cocaine-induced depression, or continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer was made worse by alcohol consumption).

¹The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. American Psychiatric Association, Washington, DC. 1994 (permission requested for use)

AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test)

AUDIT was developed by the World Health Organization for determining the possibility of alcoholism. Please answer the questions honestly and then add your score at the end to determine whether you should consult a health professional about alcoholism.

1. How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
   0=Never   1=Monthly or Less   2=Two to Four Times/Month   3=Two to Three Times/Week   4=Four+Times/Week

2. How many drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking?
   0=None   1=One or Two   2=Three or Four   3=Five or Six   4=Seven to Nine   5=Ten or More

3. How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion?
   0=Never   1=Less than Monthly   2=Monthly   3=Weekly   4=Daily or Almost Daily

4. How often during the last year have you found that you were unable to stop drinking once you had started?
   0=Never   1=Less than Monthly   2=Monthly   3=Weekly   4=Daily or Almost Daily

5. How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected from you because of drinking?
   0=Never   1=Less than Monthly   2=Monthly   3=Weekly   4=Daily or Almost Daily

6. How often during the last year have you needed a first drink in the morning to get going after a heavy drinking session?
   0=Never   1=Less than Monthly   2=Monthly   3=Weekly   4=Daily or Almost Daily

7. How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?
   0=Never   1=Less than Monthly   2=Monthly   3=Weekly   4=Daily or Almost Daily

8. How often during the last year have you been unable to remember part of the night before because you had been drinking?
   0=Never   1=Less than Monthly   2=Monthly   3=Weekly   4=Daily or Almost Daily

9. Have you or someone else been injured as the result of your drinking?
   0=Never   1=Less than Monthly   2=Monthly   3=Weekly   4=Daily or Almost Daily

10. Has a relative, friend, or health professional been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down?
    0=Never   1=Less than Monthly   2=Monthly   3=Weekly   4=Daily or Almost Daily

A person who scores 8 or more should speak with a health professional about alcoholism.