A screening tool flags. A clinical assessment diagnoses. An 8 on the AUDIT is the first, not the second, and the difference matters for how much weight to put on the number.
About the AUDIT
The AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) is a 10-question screening tool developed by the World Health Organization. It measures how often and how much you drink, signs of dependence, and alcohol-related harm over the past year. Questions 1 through 3 cover consumption, 4 through 6 cover dependence symptoms, and 7 through 10 cover harm and consequences.
Score Bands
- 0–7: Low risk
- 8–14: Hazardous or harmful drinking
- 15 or higher: Likely dependence
An 8 sits right at the start of the hazardous range — a reasonable prompt to pay attention, not a verdict.
What an 8 Doesn’t Mean
It doesn’t mean you’re “an alcoholic,” that you need lifelong abstinence, or that you’re in any kind of medical emergency. A screening score is a starting point for a conversation, not a label.
What It Probably Does Mean
Scores in the 8–14 range are associated with higher long-term risk for liver and cardiovascular effects, mental health symptoms, and friction at work or in relationships. Alcohol use disorder tends to be progressive, which is part of why catching a hazardous pattern early is worth doing.
Screening vs. Diagnosis
A positive AUDIT score works a bit like an elevated lab result on a routine test: it prompts a closer look rather than confirming a condition on its own. A full diagnosis of alcohol use disorder is based on the 11 DSM-5 criteria, assessed through a clinical conversation, not a questionnaire score.
The AUDIT-C
A shorter, three-question version (the AUDIT-C) is sometimes used instead, scored out of 12. A score of 4 or higher for men, or 3 or higher for women, is considered a positive screen.
What to Do With an 8
Talking to a primary care doctor or getting a specialist alcohol assessment are both reasonable next steps. Neither commits you to treatment; they’re just ways of understanding the number better.
Greater Boston Addiction Centers offers confidential assessments, about an hour, by phone or in person, with no commitment to treatment. Call (877) 920-6583, or verify your insurance online.
Frequently asked questions
Is a score of 7 fine, and 8 is not?
Not exactly — the bands are a guide, not a hard line. A 7 and an 8 reflect a similar level of risk; the number itself matters less than the pattern it's pointing at.
What counts as a "bad" AUDIT score?
There's no single bad score. 8-14 suggests hazardous or harmful drinking worth a closer look; 15 or higher suggests a likely dependence that's worth a full clinical assessment.
What does a score of 5 mean?
A 5 falls in the low-risk range (0-7), though it's still worth noticing patterns in your drinking even at a low score.
Is the AUDIT a diagnosis?
No. It's a screening tool. A diagnosis of alcohol use disorder comes from a clinical evaluation against the 11 DSM-5 criteria.
Should I retake the AUDIT if my drinking changes?
Yes. It's a snapshot of the past year, so retaking it periodically can help you track whether a pattern is improving or getting worse.
Keep reading
Clinically reviewed by Nikolas R. Protasenia, LMHC, LPC Last reviewed October 19, 2026. This article is for general information and isn't a substitute for advice from your own clinician.