Levels of Screening for Alcohol Problems

1

If only one question is possible

On any single occasion during the past 3 months, have you had > 5 drinks* containing alcohol?

2

For all patients who report drinking alcohol if time allows

 or

For patients who respond “yes” to a level 1 screening question

1. On average, how many days per week do you drink alcohol?

2. On a typical day when you drink, how many drinks do you have?

3. What is the maximum number of drinks you had on any given day in the past month?

3

If level 2 screening identifies risk of alcohol-related problems (ie, for men, > 14 drinks/week or 4 drinks/day; for women, > 7 drinks/week or 3 drinks/day)

 or

If the clinician suspects that patients are minimizing their alcohol use

The 10-question Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)