Alcohol test: see how you score
- Written by Sally Vincent
Alcohol test, do you have a problem? An easy first step towards determining whether you have a problem with alcohol or drugs is to complete a short questionnaire.
There are three that are very simple but have shown to be very effective.
They are primarily designed to screen for alcohol problems but can also be effective when applied to drug use.
The first test, known as RAPS4 (the Rapid Alcohol Problems Screen) asks you the following questions:
In thinking about the last 12 months only; Have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?
Has a friend or a family member ever told you about things you said or did while you were drinking that you could not remember?
Have you failed to do what was normally expected of you because of drinking? Do you sometimes take a drink when you first get up in the morning?
A "yes" answer to at least one of the four questions suggests that your drinking is harmful to your health and well-being and may adversely affect your work and those around you.
If you answered "no" to all four questions, your drinking pattern is considered safe for most people and your results do not suggest that alcohol is harming your health.
The second test (CAGE) is one of the oldest and most popular screening tools for alcohol abuse. In the case of CAGE you are asked to consider your drinking over your lifetime and answer the following questions:
C - Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
A - Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
G - Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
E - Eye opener: Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?
If you answer ‘Yes’ to two of the above questions it suggests you have a problem with alcohol or drugs.
The third test is known as AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) developed by the WHO. It is longer than the previous test but can still be completed in 2 – 4 minutes and is designed to be used in an interview scenario. However if you can be honest there is no reason why it cannot be conducted as a self-questionnaire.
Answer the following ten questions and score each answer with sum in brackets against each answer:
1. How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
(0) Never (Skip to Questions 9-10)
(1) Monthly or less
(2) 2 to 4 times a month
(3) 2 to 3 times a week
(4) 4 or more times a week
2. How many drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking?
(0) 1 or 2
(1) 3 or 4
(2) 5 or 6
(3) 7, 8, or 9
(4) 10 or more
3. How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion?
(0) Never
(1) Less than monthly
(2) Monthly
(3) Weekly
(4) Daily or almost daily
4. How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?
(0) Never
(1) Less than monthly
(2) Monthly
(3) Weekly
(4) Daily or almost daily
5. How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected from you because of drinking?
(0) Never
(1) Less than monthly
(2) Monthly
(3) Weekly
(4) Daily or almost daily
6. How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because you had been drinking?
(0) Never
(1) Less than monthly
(2) Monthly
(3) Weekly
(4) Daily or almost daily
7. How often during the last year have you needed an alcoholic drink first thing in the morning to get yourself going after a night of heavy drinking?
(0) Never
(1) Less than monthly
(2) Monthly
(3) Weekly
(4) Daily or almost daily
8. How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?
(0) Never
(1) Less than monthly
(2) Monthly
(3) Weekly
(4) Daily or almost daily
9. Have you or someone else been injured as a result of your drinking?
(0) No
(2) Yes, but not in the last year
(4) Yes, during the last year
10. Has a relative, friend, doctor, or another health professional expressed concern about your drinking or suggested you cut down?
(0) No
(2) Yes, but not in the last year
(4) Yes, during the last year
Add up the points associated with your answers above. A total score blow 8 would indicate that you don’t have a drinking problem but the fact that you completed the test would indicate that you or somebody close to you is concerned.
A total score of 8 - 15 indicates harmful drinking behaviour which should be addressed with an addictions professional with a view to harm reduction and controlled drinking.
A total score between 16 – 19 would indicate more harmful drinking needing more in depth counselling with a specialist counsellor.
If you have scored over 20 you should make an appointment for further evaluation of the problem before it gets too late.
Call Nova Vida Recovery Centre now for confidential advice on addressing alcohol or drug abuse issues – 919 357 186
