Alcoholic Test: Understanding Self-Assessment Tools and What Your Results Mean

An alcoholic test can help you understand your drinking patterns, but knowing what to do with the results is just as important as taking the assessment.

What You'll Discover:

• What an alcoholic test actually measures.

• How the AUDIT screening tool works.

• The DSM-5 criteria used to diagnose alcohol use disorder.

• What different score ranges mean.

• Warning signs that indicate drinking may be a problem.

• What steps to take after completing an assessment.

• How medication-assisted treatment can help if you decide to make changes.

If you've searched for an alcoholic test, you're likely wondering whether your drinking has crossed a line. Taking a self-assessment is a reasonable first step. These tests are designed to help you evaluate your relationship with alcohol in a structured way, without requiring you to talk to anyone or make any commitments.

The most widely used alcoholic tests are based on validated screening tools developed by medical organizations. They ask questions about how much you drink, how often, and whether drinking has caused problems in your life. Understanding what these tests measure can help you interpret your results accurately.

What Is an Alcoholic Test?

An alcoholic test is a screening tool designed to identify whether someone's drinking patterns may be harmful or indicate an alcohol use disorder. These tests don't provide a diagnosis on their own. They're meant to flag potential concerns that warrant further evaluation by a medical professional.

Most alcoholic tests fall into one of two categories. The first type measures consumption patterns, asking questions about how much and how often you drink. The second type focuses on consequences, asking whether alcohol has affected your health, relationships, work, or daily functioning.

The goal of these assessments is to give you an objective look at your drinking. It's easy to minimize or rationalize habits over time. A structured test provides a framework for honest self-reflection.

If you've been asking yourself whether your drinking is normal, our article on do I have a drinking problem covers the warning signs in more detail.

The AUDIT Screening Tool Explained

The AUDIT test is one of the most widely used alcoholic screening tools in the world. AUDIT stands for Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. It was developed in 1982 by the World Health Organization and has been validated across multiple countries and populations.

The AUDIT consists of 10 questions that cover three areas:

Questions 1 through 3 focus on alcohol consumption. These questions ask how often you drink, how many drinks you have on a typical drinking day, and how often you have six or more drinks on one occasion.

Questions 4 through 6 assess dependence symptoms. These questions ask whether you've been unable to stop drinking once you started, failed to do what was expected of you because of drinking, or needed a drink in the morning to get going.

Questions 7 through 10 examine harmful consequences. These questions ask whether you've felt guilt or remorse after drinking, been unable to remember what happened while drinking, injured yourself or someone else as a result of drinking, or had someone express concern about your drinking.

Each question is scored from 0 to 4 points. The maximum score is 40. According to the World Health Organization, the scoring breaks down as follows:

• 0 to 7 - Low risk drinking

• 8 to 15 - Hazardous drinking (increased risk of harm)

• 16 to 19 - Harmful drinking (damage is likely occurring)

• 20 or higher - Possible alcohol dependence

A score of 8 or higher generally indicates that drinking may be problematic and warrants further assessment. Research shows the AUDIT correctly classifies about 95% of people into appropriate risk categories.

DSM-5 Criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder

While the AUDIT focuses on screening, the DSM-5 provides the clinical criteria used to diagnose alcohol use disorder. DSM-5 stands for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. It's the standard reference used by healthcare providers in the United States.

The DSM-5 lists 11 criteria for alcohol use disorder. A person who meets 2 or more of these criteria within a 12-month period may be diagnosed with AUD. The criteria are:

The severity of alcohol use disorder is determined by how many criteria are met:

• 2 to 3 criteria - Mild AUD

• 4 to 5 criteria - Moderate AUD

• 6 or more criteria - Severe AUD

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, approximately 29 million adults in the United States had AUD in 2022. Many people who meet the criteria don't realize their drinking qualifies as a disorder because they're still functioning in daily life.

For a deeper look at how alcohol use disorder is defined and diagnosed, our guide on understanding alcohol use disorder covers the clinical framework.

What Your Alcoholic Test Results Mean

So, you've taken an alcoholic test and received a score. What does it actually mean?

If your AUDIT score is between 0 and 7, your drinking is considered low risk. This doesn't mean alcohol is harmless, but it suggests your current patterns aren't causing significant problems. Maintaining awareness of your habits is still worthwhile.

If your score is 8 to 15, you fall into the hazardous drinking category. This means your drinking patterns put you at increased risk for developing problems, even if you haven't experienced major consequences yet. At this level, reducing consumption is recommended.

If your score is 16 to 19, your drinking is likely causing harm. This could mean physical health effects, relationship strain, or interference with work and responsibilities. Professional support is advisable at this stage.

If your score is 20 or higher, there's a strong possibility of alcohol dependence. This level of drinking typically involves physical withdrawal symptoms when you stop, along with significant difficulty controlling consumption. Medical evaluation is important before making changes.

It's worth noting that these categories exist on a spectrum. Someone scoring a 9 isn't dramatically different from someone scoring a 7. The numbers provide guidance, not rigid classifications. What matters most is whether your drinking is causing problems you want to address.

Warning Signs That Suggest a Problem

Beyond formal test scores, certain warning signs indicate that drinking has become problematic. You may recognize some of these patterns in yourself:

• Drinking more than intended - You tell yourself you'll have two drinks and consistently end up having four or more.

• Failed attempts to cut back - You've tried to reduce your drinking but keep returning to previous levels.

• Thinking about alcohol frequently - You find yourself planning when you'll drink or looking forward to it more than other activities.

• Drinking to cope with stress or emotions - Alcohol has become your primary way of dealing with anxiety, sadness, or frustration.

• Tolerance increases - You need more alcohol to feel the same effects you used to get from less.

• Withdrawal symptoms - You experience shakiness, anxiety, sweating, or nausea when you haven't had a drink for a while.

• Neglecting responsibilities - Work, family, or personal obligations suffer because of drinking or recovering from drinking.

• Continuing despite consequences - You keep drinking even though it's caused problems in your relationships, health, or finances.

Recognizing these patterns doesn't mean you've failed at anything. It means you're paying attention. Our article on symptoms of alcohol addiction provides a more comprehensive list of warning signs.

What to Do After Taking an Alcoholic Test

Taking an alcoholic test is a starting point, not an endpoint. What you do with the information matters more than the score itself.

If your results suggest low risk, you may want to continue monitoring your drinking to ensure patterns don't shift over time. Keeping a simple log of how much and how often you drink can help you stay aware.

If your results indicate hazardous or harmful drinking, consider setting specific goals for reducing consumption. This might mean limiting the number of drinks per occasion, designating alcohol-free days, or avoiding situations where you tend to drink heavily.

If your results point toward possible dependence, consulting with a healthcare provider is an important next step. Stopping alcohol abruptly after heavy, prolonged use can cause serious withdrawal symptoms that require medical supervision. A provider can help you create a safe plan.

Regardless of your score, you don't have to figure this out alone. Many people find that having support makes behavior change significantly easier. This could be a therapist, a coach, a support group, or a medication-assisted treatment program.

The key point is that taking an alcoholic test is about gaining information. You decide what to do with that information based on your own goals and circumstances.

How Naltrexone Can Help If You Decide to Make Changes

If your alcoholic test results suggest your drinking has become problematic, medication can be a useful tool for making changes. Naltrexone is an FDA-approved medication that reduces the rewarding effects of alcohol, making it easier to drink less or stop.

Naltrexone works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain. When you drink alcohol, your brain normally releases endorphins that create pleasurable feelings. Naltrexone prevents those endorphins from producing their usual effect, so drinking becomes less satisfying over time.

The medication is taken as a daily 50mg tablet. It doesn't make you sick if you drink, and it doesn't require complete abstinence. Many people use naltrexone to gradually reduce their drinking rather than quitting cold turkey.

Research has shown naltrexone is effective at reducing heavy drinking days and helping people maintain their goals over time. It works best when combined with some form of counseling or coaching support.

You can learn more about how the medication works in our article on how to use naltrexone to stop alcohol cravings.

Taking the Next Step

An alcoholic test provides valuable information about your drinking patterns and potential risks. Whether your score indicates low risk, hazardous drinking, or possible dependence, the assessment gives you a clearer picture of where you stand.

If your results have raised concerns, addressing them sooner rather than later tends to make change easier. You don't need to hit rock bottom to deserve support. Many people benefit from treatment while still functioning in their daily lives.

Take the online Alcohol Use Assessment to learn more about your drinking patterns and see if naltrexone could be a good fit for you.