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Should You Be Concerned About Your Drinking?

Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)

The AUDIT was developed by the World Health Organization to identify persons whose alcohol consumption has become hazardous or harmful to their health. It is important to remember that the results of such screening methods are not in themselves capable of rendering a diagnosis of the presence or absence of an alcohol misuse problem.

Use the results of this test to help decide whether you should seek additional assistance in exploring your individual drinking situation. Take advantage of campus resources for help. Also available at this web site is a Behavioral Self Control Program that you can download for your personal use.

To take the AUDIT, simply select the best answer and, after answering all of the questions, click on the "Calculate Score" button at the end. Instructions for interpreting your score follow the test.

AUDIT

How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
Never
Monthly
Two to three times per month
Two to three times per week
Four or more times per week
How many drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking?
1 or 2
3 or 4
5 or 6
7 to 9
10 or more
How often do you have four or more drinks on one occasion?
Never
Less than monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you started?
Never
Less than monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected from you because of drinking?
Never
Less than monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
How often in the last year have you needed a first drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?
Never
Less than monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?
Never
Less than monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because you had been drinking?
Never
Less than monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Daily or almost daily
Have you or someone else been injured as a result of your drinking?
No
Yes, but not in the last year
Yes, during the last year
Has a relative or friend or doctor or other health worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down?
No
Yes, but not in the last year
Yes, during the last year

Total score:

Scoring Interpretation

Total Score 0 – 7 with 0 on question #5: Screening results are not consistent with harmful levels of alcohol use.
Total Score 0 – 7 with 1 or more on question #5: Screening results indicate that you may be drinking in a way that might be affecting your performance at work or school, and potentially harming relationships and interactions with other people.
Total Score 8 or above: Screening results indicate that your drinking may be hazardous or harmful. Note: with a score of 8 or above, a score of 1 or more on question # 4, 5, or 6 may indicate an increased likelihood of alcohol dependence.

If you are wondering what to do if your score is 8 or more, allow us to suggest some courses of action:

You may want to consider a more in-depth assessment. If you're a student,you can discuss your drinking with a counselor in the Counseling & Therapy Services program (277-4537)at the UNM Student Health Center. UNM staff and faculty can access help through the Counseling Assistance & Referral Service (272-6868). You can also contact COSAP office staff via email or by phone at 277-2795.
You could consider trying to change your drinking behaviors on your own. Many people who have had alcohol-related problems stop their drinking or cut down without any formal treatment. If you are a UNM student, faculty, or staff member, you can download a free, interactive software program that will help you learn how to moderate your drinking. There are also a number of self-help books available to help you in your process of self-change. If you do decide to change your drinking, one of your first decisions will be whether to stop altogether or to cut down to moderate amounts. Some people are able to cut down while others find it better to stop altogether.
Another course of action to consider is attending a self-help group, such as:
- Alcoholics Anonymous - a worldwide fellowship of people pursuing a goal of abstinence and recovery through a 12-step program. It has been a Godsend for many people (yes, many young people too), but it is not for everyone. In Albuquerque, 266-1900.
- Narcotics Anonymous - a program based on the same 12 steps as AA, but designed more specifically to facilitate recovery from illicit and prescription drug abuse. NA Help Line: 260-9889
- Moderation Management - a self-help group for people who want to moderate their consumption. MM will also help you discover if this is a viable option for you.
- Smart Recovery - an abstinence-based, nonprofit organization with a sensible self-help program for people having problems with drinking and using.
- Women and Men for Sobriety - an alternative to traditional support groups that help people recover from problem drinking and drugging. Their local phone number is 243-2223.

Some groups are not as widespread and locally available as others such as AA or NA. Ask around and look in your local newspaper for information about the meeting times and places of self-help groups. Searching the world wide web will also yield everything from information about traditional recovery groups as well as alternatives to traditional recovery philosophy.

Finally, another course of action to consider is that of formal treatment. We have learned a great deal about how to best help people recover from substance use disorders in the last 20 years. There is no single approach which works best for everyone,but rather, there are a number of effective approaches that are well supported by scientific research. UNM supports research, prevention, and treatment through its branches of the Center on Alcohol and Substance Abuse and Addictions (UNM/CASAA). Treatment information is available at 768-0190.

Whatever the course of action you choose, be persistent!

Many people do not succeed with their first efforts and relapse is common when people try to break their addictive behaviors. The key idea is to KEEP TRYING! Learn from your mistakes when you make them and continue to move forward.