Is my drinking a risk?

Ten questions, about two minutes. The questionnaire gives a first indication of whether your drinking is in a risk range, and whether it’s worth talking to a professional.

It doesn’t replace an assessment. Your answers aren’t sent anywhere and aren’t saved. The score is worked out only on your device, and no one else sees it.

One drink is: a regular can or bottle of beer (330 ml), a glass of wine (150 ml) or a shot of spirits (40 ml).

1How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?

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

2How many 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

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

Never Less than monthly Monthly Weekly Daily or almost daily

4How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?

Never Less than monthly Monthly Weekly Daily or almost daily

5How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected of you because of drinking?

Never Less than monthly Monthly Weekly Daily or almost daily

6How often during the last year have you needed a first drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?

Never Less than monthly Monthly Weekly Daily or almost daily

7How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?

Never Less than monthly Monthly Weekly Daily or almost daily

8How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because of your drinking?

Never Less than monthly Monthly Weekly Daily or almost daily

9Have you or someone else been injured because of your drinking?

No Yes, but not in the last year Yes, during the last year

10Has a relative, friend, doctor or other health worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down?

No Yes, but not in the last year Yes, during the last year

Your score out of 40

Questions answered out of 10

Clear my answers

What the score means

• 0–7 Low-risk drinking

  According to the questionnaire, your drinking isn’t in a risk range right now. If something still worries you, that’s a good reason to look into it.

• 8–15 Hazardous drinking

  Your drinking may harm your health over time. It’s worth stopping to look at it, and considering cutting down.

• 16–19 Harmful drinking

  Drinking is probably already taking a toll. This is the time to talk to a professional.

• 20–40 Possible dependence

  A professional assessment is recommended. If you drink heavily every day, don’t stop suddenly on your own: stopping abruptly can be dangerous and needs medical support.

What now?

Any score is a starting point, not a verdict. You can also try a week without drinking and see how easy or hard it is, or keep track of how much you really drink for a week and compare it with what you thought.

If you’d like to talk about your result, you can call me. The first call is short and free of charge, and this can be treated without putting your life on hold.

Source: World Health Organization, AUDIT, 2001 (opens in a new tab).