Have you ever considered that you may have a drinking problem but weren’t sure if your alcohol use habits were normal or not? Perhaps you compare how much you drink to your friends and wonder why alcohol seems to affect you differently than it does them. Maybe you know you drink a lot, but because you’re still able to keep on top of your personal or professional responsibilities, you don’t think that it’s hurting anything. 

Alcoholism isn’t always a blatant issue; some people hide it very well. However, this doesn’t mean that they don’t still have a problem and need to seek proper help. If you’re not sure whether or not you have an alcohol use disorder, there is a useful tool that can help you figure this out. This tool is called the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, commonly referred to as the AUDIT Test.

Understanding What the AUDIT Test Is 

The AUDIT Test is a 10-question test compiled by the World Health Organization. Its goal is to quickly and effectively detect alcohol use habits that may be unhealthy, dangerous, or in any way detrimental to one’s overall life. 

This test was first developed in the 1980s and is available in a wide range of different languages. It can be used in both women and men and by anyone regardless of age, background, or ethnicity. The specific wording of each question may vary slightly depending upon the type of facility that the AUDIT test is from but for the most part, each AUDIT test is going to be asking the same primary questions. 

This test can be taken in two different ways. It may be administered in an interview fashion at a treatment facility. This interview method will be administered by a doctor, counselor, or other treatment professional. The professional will ask the questions, and you will keep track of your answers. They will then calculate your total score. If you score an eight or more, it indicates that your alcohol use is likely dangerous and that you need to seek treatment. 

Alternatively, you don’t have to go to a physician to take this test on your own. You have the option to take it online from the comfort of your own home. As the test is very quick and simple,  you’ll get your results right away. Plus, you can rest assured that your results are going to be kept completely confidential. Therefore, you can proceed however you want after receiving the results. At The Kimberly Center, we offer the AUDIT test on our own website. 

Click here to try it for yourself.

Things to Consider When Taking the Audit Test 

There are some things to consider when taking an AUDIT test. First, when considering your drinking habits and how many drinks you typically consume, you’ll want to think in terms of a standard drink. If you’re not sure what that is, use the following as a guide. 

12 oz. Beer or Cooler (~5% alcohol) 

• 12 oz. = 1
• 16 oz. = 1.3
• 22 oz. = 2
• 40 oz. = 3.3

8.9 oz. Malt Liquor (~7% alcohol)

• 12 oz. = 1.5
• 16 oz. = 2
• 22 oz. = 2.5
• 40 oz. = 4.5 

5 oz. Table Wine (~12% alcohol) 

• a 750 mL (25 oz.) bottle = 5

1.5 oz of 80 Proof Spirits (Hard Liquor at ~40% alcohol ) 

• a mixed drink = 1 or more*
• a pint (16 oz.) = 11
• a fifth (25 oz.) = 17
• 1.75 L (59 oz.) = 39 

Another thing you definitely want to consider when taking this test is being as honest with your answers as possible. While you may be tempted to try to minimize your drinking or portray your drinking habits differently than how they really are, this can cause your score to turn out inaccurately. This can cause you to think that you don’t have an alcohol use disorder when you really might. So it’s best to really think before you submit your answers. 

Taking the Next Step 

After you’ve taken the test and have your results, you’re ready to take the next step. First, take the time to process your results. If you received a score of eight or higher, you might be feeling a mixture of emotions, including fear and even guilt. Perhaps you never knew you had an alcohol use disorder, and this has come as a great shock to you. 

It’s also possible that you’ve assumed you’ve had an alcohol use disorder for some time now, but this is your first time actually seeing proof of it. Whatever you’re feeling, take the time to process it. 

When you feel ready, you can then reach out to your primary care physician. They can help give you a little bit more of an idea of what to expect as you prepare to begin treatment. Furthermore, they can help you determine what type of program is the right fit for your needs.

Have you ever considered that you may have a drinking problem but weren’t sure if your alcohol use habits were normal or not? Maybe you know you probably drink too much, but since you are still managing to keep up with your daily responsibilities, you think it is ok. The truth is that you may think you have your alcohol use under control but that you really do need professional help. A great simple way to detect dangerous alcohol use habits is the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). You can try it today on The Kimberly Center website. Call (855) 452-3683 today to learn more about our treatment options.