Which screening instrument identifies alcohol use disorders and consists of ten questions?

Which screening instrument identifies alcohol use disorders and consists of ten questions?

• A. CAGE
• B. MAST
• C. SAPC
• D. AUDIT

Answer: (D)

Screening for alcohol problems works best when a concise, standardized set of questions covers how much a person drinks, signs of dependence, and any resulting harms. The instrument that fits this description with exactly ten items is the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Developed by the World Health Organization, it screens for hazardous and harmful drinking and possible dependence. The questions probe three areas: consumption patterns (how often and how much), dependence symptoms (like inability to stop, cravings, or withdrawal), and related consequences (such as neglect of responsibilities, injuries, or concerns raised by others). Scoring ranges from 0 to 40, with common interpretations: 0–7 indicates low risk, 8–15 hazardous use, 16–19 harmful use, and 20 or more suggesting possible dependence. It’s quick to administer, suitable in primary care and other settings, and helps determine whether brief intervention or referral is needed. While other screens exist, they don’t share AUDIT’s exact ten-item structure.

Screening for alcohol problems works best when a concise, standardized set of questions covers how much a person drinks, signs of dependence, and any resulting harms. The instrument that fits this description with exactly ten items is the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Developed by the World Health Organization, it screens for hazardous and harmful drinking and possible dependence. The questions probe three areas: consumption patterns (how often and how much), dependence symptoms (like inability to stop, cravings, or withdrawal), and related consequences (such as neglect of responsibilities, injuries, or concerns raised by others). Scoring ranges from 0 to 40, with common interpretations: 0–7 indicates low risk, 8–15 hazardous use, 16–19 harmful use, and 20 or more suggesting possible dependence. It’s quick to administer, suitable in primary care and other settings, and helps determine whether brief intervention or referral is needed. While other screens exist, they don’t share AUDIT’s exact ten-item structure.