Alcohol self-check · quick version
(AUDIT, 10 items)

Should I take the quick version (AUDIT) or the full integrated one (5 tools, 26 items)?

If you only want an accurate read on how risky your drinking has been over the past year, the Quick (AUDIT, 10 items) takes three minutes. It is the WHO international standard, adopted as an official self-check by public mental health centers in Korea. Full integrated (5 tools, 26 items) covers not just the alcohol problem but the depression, anxiety and insomnia that come with it, all at once. Since 60-70% of alcohol problems come with a mental health problem, take the full version if you want to get the direction of recovery right.

Why are five tools combined?

Alcohol problems rarely show up alone; 60-70% of the time they appear together with depression, anxiety or insomnia . Where depression or anxiety is involved, drinking to cope — the self-medication pattern — is especially common. Screening the alcohol and missing the mental health leaves the root cause untouched and relapse rates very high. Combining five tools settles that in one pass.

What is the academic basis for each tool?

Audit: Saunders et al. (1993) Addiction 88(6):791-804. Developed by the WHO. Korean version: Kim SS et al. (2008) Arch Psychiatr Nurs. CAGE: Ewing JA (1984) JAMA 252(14):1905-7. A clinical standard for 40 years. PHQ-2: Kroenke et al. (2003) Med Care 41(11):1284-92. Cutoff ≥3. GAD-2: Kroenke et al. (2007) Ann Intern Med 146(5):317-25. Korean validation PMC6431620. Cutoff ≥3. AIS: Soldatos et al. (2000) J Psychosom Res 48(6):555-560. Based on ICD-10. All five have been validated across multiple countries.

How is one standard drink counted?

In this test, one standard drink means 14 g of pure alcohol: 12 oz of beer at 5% (one regular can) · 5 oz of wine at 12% · 1.5 oz of 80-proof liquor (one shot). Real pours vary: a 16 oz pint of craft beer at 7% is closer to 2 standard drinks, and a generous 9 oz glass of wine is about 1.8.

Which cutoffs does this test use?

This test is based on the WHO’s four zones (0-7 / 8-15 / 16-19 / 20+). This is the international standard used by public mental health and addiction services. Note that because women metabolize alcohol differently, a risk signal can appear at a somewhat lower score — roughly 2 points lower than for men.

What should I do if I land in Zone IV (20 or above)?

Zone IV means a possible alcohol use disorder has been identified. Under WHO guidance, this is the stage where a full clinical assessment and referral to specialist treatment are essential. SAMHSA National Helpline · 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7), or book a psychiatric appointment right away. Acute withdrawal can be life-threatening — delirium tremens, seizures, so anyone who has been drinking daily over a long period must taper or quit only under medical supervision.

Does a positive PHQ-2 or GAD-2 mean I have depression or an anxiety disorder?

No. The PHQ-2 and GAD-2 are screening tools, not diagnostic ones. A positive result is only a signal that a fuller assessment (PHQ-9, GAD-7) and clinical evaluation are warranted. The diagnosis itself comes from a clinician’s full evaluation against criteria such as DSM-5. You can go deeper with the companion self-checks — PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety.

Does a positive CAGE (2 or more) mean I am definitely an alcoholic?

No. A positive CAGE is a signal that alcohol use disorder is possible — not a diagnosis. Ewing’s original 1984 paper set 2 or more as the point at which a clinical conversation is advised, but the diagnosis itself comes from a clinician’s full evaluation against criteria such as the DSM-5 definition of alcohol use disorder.

What is integrated treatment?

It means treating the alcohol problem and the mental health problem — depression, anxiety, insomnia — at the same time. Treating the drinking while leaving depression and anxiety alone, or the reverse, leaves relapse rates very high. International treatment guidelines recommend the integrated approach whenever more than one problem is present — typically an addiction treatment program and a psychiatrist working together.

What is the SAMHSA National Helpline?

Run by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, it is a free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral service. It connects callers to local treatment facilities, support groups and community organizations for alcohol and other substance problems, including free and low-cost options. SAMHSA National Helpline — 1-800-662-4357 is free and answered 24/7, in English and Spanish. For peer support, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are available in nearly every community.

Where is my result stored?

This self-check stores nothing on a server and collects no personal information. Your answers and result exist only in your own browser, and they go no further unless you copy the result or share the URL yourself.