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Interactive Tool: Is Your Use of Alcohol Harmful?

What does this tool help you learn?

This tool can help you find out if your drinking is harmful or unhealthy.

The results may show that you need to get help from a doctor. As you answer the questions, try to be as honest as you can. Your answers won't be shared with anyone.

This tool alone is not enough to diagnose alcohol use disorder. If you think your drinking might be harmful—no matter how you score on this tool—seek help from a health professional.

Used with permission from: "Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test—Guidelines for Use in Primary Care," Second Edition. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2001.

Alcohol Abuse Risk

Choose the option that best describes your answer to each question.
How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
A standard drink is: one 12 fl oz (355 mL) can or bottle of beer, one 5 fl oz (148 mL) glass of wine, or one mixed drink containing 1.5 fl oz (44 mL) of hard liquor
How many drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking?
How often do you have five or more drinks on one occasion?
How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?
How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected of you because of drinking?
How often during the last year have you needed a drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?
A standard drink is: one 12 fl oz (355 mL) can or bottle of beer, one 5 fl oz (148 mL) glass of wine, or one mixed drink containing 1.5 fl oz (44 mL) of hard liquor
How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?
How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because of your drinking?
Have you or someone else been injured because of your drinking?
Has a relative, friend, doctor, or other health care worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down?
Low
Medium
High
Dependence
Your Answers
Special Warnings: You should not consume alcohol if you are pregnant, take medicines that interact with alcohol, have health problems made worse by drinking, or are under the age of 21. Certain people, such as those with mood disorders or those with a family history of alcohol problems, should use extra caution when drinking alcohol. If you currently do not drink but have had drinking problems in the past, you should continue to abstain. Women and anyone over 65 cannot safely consume as much alcohol as younger men.
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Information about Interactive Tool: Is Your Use of Alcohol Harmful?

Current as of: November 15, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.