Alcohol Use Screening Tests
Reviewed
Alcohol use screening tests are questionnaires you answer about your alcohol use. Your responses are used to check for unhealthy alcohol use and risk for alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Preparation and collection
You don't need any special preparations for an alcohol use screening test.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- Screening tests are not diagnostic by themselves; they only indicate a higher or lower likelihood of unhealthy alcohol use or alcohol use disorder (AUD).
- A screen-positive result does not confirm AUD; further evaluation by a healthcare professional is required.
- A screen-negative result does not guarantee no future risk or unhealthy alcohol use.
- Some questionnaires (e.g., CAGE) are no longer recommended due to lower accuracy.
- Results may be affected by reluctance to report alcohol use honestly.
What to do next
If your screening result is screen-positive, discuss with your healthcare provider for further evaluation and possible treatment plan. This may include brief intervention, counseling, medication, or support groups. If screen-negative, continue routine monitoring and discuss any concerns with your provider.
Evidence source
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Alcohol Use Screening Tests