AUDIT-C Calculator

AUDIT-C Calculator for Psychiatry. Thresholds depend on the selected guideline, version and setting; no universal positive-screen band is imposed here. Check the local screening threshold and clinical history. A low total is not a withdrawal-risk assessment.

For shared guidance on choosing a tool and documenting results, read the clinical calculator workflow.

How this calculator works

AUDIT-C is a consumption-screening total, not the full AUDIT. The VA source explicitly separates a positive screen from a diagnosis and states a VA/DoD threshold chosen for that implementation. Source: https://www.hepatitis.va.gov/alcohol/treatment/audit-c.asp

When to use this calculator

Use after an authorized screen to decide what history and follow-up are needed. Check the local version and policy; thresholds elsewhere need not match the VA setting.

Inputs used

  • Completed 0-12 integer; source version and local screening policy

Clinical interpretation

Thresholds depend on the selected guideline, version and setting; no universal positive-screen band is imposed here. Check the local screening threshold and clinical history. A low total is not a withdrawal-risk assessment.

Worked example

A total of 4 is four points, not four drinks per day. It is below the cited VA threshold of 5 but may trigger follow-up under another protocol. The page therefore records the total without declaring universally negative or positive.

Limitations and safety notes

Do not infer present intoxication, withdrawal safety or absence of alcohol-related harm from a low result. The cited VA page retains a March 2021 policy note, so the exact local current threshold must be checked.

Frequently asked questions

Does a positive screen establish alcohol use disorder?

No. It prompts assessment; a diagnostic label must not be generated from the total alone.

References

  • https://www.hepatitis.va.gov/alcohol/treatment/audit-c.asp

Editorial review and citation methodology

Maintained by the Quick Medical Calculator Editorial Team. Content record date: September 9, 2026. A content date is not evidence of independent clinical review. Individual clinical sign-off is not recorded on this page.

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  • Include limitations and safety notes when a calculator is population-specific, context-dependent, or unsuitable as a standalone decision tool.

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