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Further AUDIT questions: score 16-19 (possible dependence)

Based on your answers about how much alcohol you consume and whether you have experienced any problems in connection with your drinking, it appears that you may already be experiencing specific problems related to your drinking as your results show that your risk of developing future dependence for alcohol related problems is very high if your alcohol use continues at it's present level .Your level of drinking far exceeds safe limits and this would indicate that specific problems related to drinking are already present. This means that you are at far higher risk for many of the health and emotional issues/ problems/harms than those who drink at a lower level than you.

System will have to be coded to draw attention to particular answers to questions 7-10 and provide specific feedback to highlight the problems already being experience e.g. injuries to self or other people, blackouts from drinking.

While many people abstain from alcohol completely, most people who drink do so sensibly. Your responses to the questionnaire indicate that you fall into the High risk category of alcohol use. Falling within the high risk area means that your level of drinking presents risks to your health and possible other aspects of your life. You are at risk of more serious problems if you continue drinking at the level you are drinking.

Provide a visual representation with colour of AUDIT results and comparison figures if available. (Normative feedback).

Risk Your Score Men Women Common effects
Low risk   21standard drinks or fewer per week or up to 4 standard drinks a day 14 standard drinks or fewer per week or up to 3 standard drinks per day
  • Increased relaxation
  • Alcohol consumption at very low levels can provide a protective effect in middle and older age groups for certain diseases mainly heart disease, stroke and diabetes mellitus. At higher levels of consumption this protective effect is lost and the risk of disease increases.
  • Sociability
  • Alcohol even at low risk-levels of consumption, increases the risk of many major diseases including numerous cancers and gastrointestinal conditions.
Increasing risk-hazardous   22-49 standard drinks per week or regular drinking of no more than 4 standard drinks per day 15-35 standard drinks per week or regular drinking of more than 3 standard drinks a day
  • Less energy
  • Depression/Stress
  • Insomnia
  • Impotence
  • Risk of injury
  • High blood pressure
  • Unsafe sex practices
Higher risk- harmful drinking   50+ standard drinks per week 36+ standard drinks per week

All of the above and:

  • Memory loss
  • Increased risk of liver disease
  • Increased risk of cancer including breast, liver and cancers of the mouth.
  • Possible alcohol dependence
  • Depression
  • Increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
  • Harm to relationships, work, studies, friendships or social life.
High Risk -possible dependence Your scores indicate you are here. 50+ standard drinks per week 36+ standard drinks per week

A higher risk of all of the above and:

  • Risk of brain damage
  • Increased weight gain and poor physical condition.
  • Risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms

How do you feel about this score – it suggests you are drinking at a level that is very risky for your health?

Many people find that by cutting down on their alcohol use they can improve their health. There are health benefits from reducing or stopping alcohol consumption. All acute risks can be completely reversed if alcohol is removed. Even amongst chronic diseases, such as liver cirrhosis and depression, reducing or stopping alcohol consumption are associated with rapid improvements in health.

Your level of alcohol use may be causing significant harm to your physical and or mental health. We recommend that you seek help from the local alcohol services for specialist assessment and support and advice in making your decision. Please click here for details of how to access these services. If you would like to discuss your results in more detail please click here for details on our live helper. Other people have found talking the options through with someone trained in this field helpful.

If you wish to read more information on alcohol please visit our Alcohol Info section. You can also view services in your area or launch the drugs.ie online interactive live helper chat service to speak to someone directly.

Thank you for taking the time to visit the website and share your answers, good luck with whatever decision you have made.
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