PHQ‑9 Depression Screening

AUDIT‑C: Brief Alcohol Screening & Response Tool

The AUDIT‑C is a 3‑question alcohol screen derived from the 10‑item AUDIT. It identifies hazardous drinking and possible alcohol use disorder. This interactive tool scores responses, interprets results, and provides a suggested brief intervention script and referral guidance. It is informational and not a diagnostic instrument.

1) How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?

Never Monthly or less 2–4 times a month 2–3 times a week 4 or more times a week

2) How many standard 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

3) How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion?

Never Less than monthly Monthly Weekly Daily or almost daily

Sex (for interpretation) MaleFemale

AUDIT‑C is a screening tool; positive screens should prompt further assessment. For concerns about alcohol use, seek evaluation from a qualified clinician.

Comprehensive Guide to AUDIT‑C, Brief Intervention, Referral Pathways, and SEO

Introduction

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test‑Consumption (AUDIT‑C) is a validated, brief screening instrument derived from the 10‑item AUDIT. It focuses on consumption patterns and is widely used in primary care to detect hazardous drinking and active alcohol use disorders. This guide explains the scoring and interpretation of AUDIT‑C, suggested brief intervention content (based on SBIRT — Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment), next steps after a positive screen, considerations for special populations, limitations, and an SEO/content strategy for deploying a high‑quality clinical tool online.

Scoring and interpretation

AUDIT‑C scores each of the three questions from 0–4, producing a total score of 0–12. Common thresholds used in clinical practice are:

• Men: score ≥4 suggests hazardous drinking or active alcohol use disorder — requires further assessment.
• Women: score ≥3 suggests hazardous drinking or active alcohol use disorder — requires further assessment.

Higher scores indicate greater likelihood of alcohol-related harm; a routine clinical workflow is to follow a positive AUDIT‑C with the full AUDIT or a clinical interview to assess dependence, withdrawal risk, and comorbid conditions.

Brief Intervention: practical script & structure (SBIRT‑based)

Brief interventions are short, structured conversations that aim to raise awareness of risky drinking and motivate change. A practical 5‑step clinician script:

1. Screen: "Your AUDIT‑C score is X — this suggests your drinking may increase health risk."
2. Ask permission: "Do you mind if we talk about your alcohol use for a few minutes?"
3. Feedback: Provide personalized feedback comparing the patient's drinking to low‑risk guidelines and note any relevant health findings.
4. Advice & options: Offer clear, nonjudgmental advice (e.g., reduce intake, set limits, abstain) and discuss evidence‑based options: NIAAA low‑risk drinking limits, motivational interviewing techniques, medications (naltrexone, acamprosate), and counseling.
5. Agree & arrange follow‑up: Set goals, offer resources (quitlines, counseling), and plan follow-up or referral if indicated.

Next steps after a positive screen

After a positive AUDIT‑C, perform a more detailed assessment:

• Administer the full 10‑item AUDIT to assess alcohol-related harm and dependence features.
• Screen for withdrawal risk (e.g., TIWAS, CIWA‑Ar scores for moderate/severe dependence in clinical settings) before recommending abrupt cessation if dependence is likely.
• Assess comorbid mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, PTSD) and medications that interact with alcohol.
• For individuals at risk of severe withdrawal, consider medical management or supervised detoxification.

Referral and treatment options

Treatment selection depends on severity and patient preferences. Options include:

• Brief counseling and motivational interventions: effective for hazardous and harmful drinking.
• Medications: naltrexone (reduces rewarding effects), acamprosate (supports abstinence), disulfiram (aversive therapy), and acamprosate — prescribed and monitored by clinicians.
• Specialist addiction services: for moderate‑to‑severe alcohol use disorder, consider referral to addiction medicine, outpatient programs, or inpatient treatment as needed.
• Mutual support groups: e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, or culturally appropriate community resources.

Special populations and considerations

• Pregnancy: No safe level of alcohol is established during pregnancy — advise complete abstinence and provide immediate referral for support.
• Older adults: Lower thresholds for harm due to pharmacokinetics, comorbidities, and polypharmacy. Use conservative interpretation and consider interactions with medications.
• Adolescents: Any alcohol use is concerning. Use age‑appropriate screening tools and involve guardians per local regulations and consent practices.

Limitations of AUDIT‑C

AUDIT‑C focuses on consumption and may miss contextual or functional impairment. It is a screening, not diagnostic, instrument. Cultural differences in drinking patterns and reporting bias (underreporting) affect accuracy. Always interpret scores within the clinical context and consider collateral information when available.

Implementation tips for clinical workflows

1. Integrate AUDIT‑C into routine vital sign workflows or electronic previsit questionnaires to normalize screening.
2. Train staff in brief intervention and motivational interviewing principles; scripts reduce clinician discomfort.
3. Develop referral pathways and local resource lists (detox units, counseling services) to streamline care after positive screens.
4. Use privacy‑protecting workflows for sensitive topics and document consent and follow‑up plans.

SEO strategy for an AUDIT‑C tool

AUDIT‑C tools attract both clinicians and patients seeking quick assessments. To rank and support users:

1. Technical SEO: mobile‑friendly, fast, HTTPS, structured data (WebApplication and MedicalWebPage), and accessible forms.
2. Content: pair the interactive tool with long‑form content (this guide) addressing common queries: "AUDIT‑C score meaning", "how to do brief intervention for alcohol", and "medications for alcohol use disorder."
3. E‑A‑T: display clinician reviewers (addiction specialists, primary care), cite authoritative sources (WHO, NIAAA, NICE), and include last‑updated timestamps.
4. Privacy: emphasize confidential, client‑side scoring and provide clear information about data handling.

Conclusion

AUDIT‑C is a validated, efficient screening tool for identifying hazardous drinking and potential alcohol use disorders. When integrated into clinical workflows with brief intervention scripts and clear referral pathways, AUDIT‑C supports early identification and treatment. Pair the tool with robust clinical pathways, staff training, and clear patient resources to maximize public health impact.

References: WHO AUDIT publications, NIAAA clinical resources, and national guideline statements on screening and brief intervention for unhealthy alcohol use. For individual medical advice, consult an addiction specialist or primary care clinician.