Take the free WHO AUDIT — the clinically validated 10-question screening tool used by GPs worldwide. Instant result, private, and free. Takes about 2 minutes.
The AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is the gold-standard screening tool used by GPs and healthcare professionals worldwide to identify harmful alcohol use. It consists of 10 questions covering frequency, quantity, and consequences of drinking. A score of 8 or above suggests harmful or hazardous drinking.
The term "alcoholic" is no longer used clinically — it has been replaced by "Alcohol Use Disorder" (AUD). AUD is a medical condition that exists on a spectrum from mild to severe. You do not need to drink every day, drink in the morning, or have hit "rock bottom" to have an alcohol problem — harmful drinking that affects your life or health qualifies.
AUDIT scores are interpreted as follows: 0–7 = low-risk drinking; 8–15 = hazardous drinking (risk of harm); 16–19 = harmful drinking (harm is likely occurring); 20–40 = possible alcohol dependency. However, the test is a screening tool, not a clinical diagnosis — any score that concerns you is worth discussing with your GP.
Yes. Alcohol use disorder is not defined by the time of day or which days of the week you drink — it is defined by the impact drinking has on your life, your inability to control intake, and physical dependence symptoms. Many people with alcohol problems only drink at weekends but drink to the level of physical dependence or serious harm.
Speak to your GP or call Frank (0300 123 6600, free, 24/7) for a confidential conversation about your drinking. NHS alcohol services are free, non-judgemental, and highly effective. If you score in the dependency range, do not stop drinking suddenly without speaking to a doctor first — alcohol withdrawal can be medically dangerous.
For light to moderate drinkers, stopping suddenly is generally safe. For people with physical alcohol dependency (daily or near-daily heavy drinking, or withdrawal symptoms like shakes, sweats, or anxiety when not drinking), stopping suddenly can cause potentially fatal seizures. Always speak to a doctor before attempting to stop if you are physically dependent.