Outcome MeasureSubstance Use

AUDIT

Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test

8 Papers in Blossom

About This Instrument

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a 10-item self-report screening instrument developed by the World Health Organization to identify hazardous drinking, harmful alcohol use, and alcohol dependence. Items cover alcohol consumption (3 items), drinking behavior and dependence (3 items), and alcohol-related problems (4 items), each scored 0–4, yielding total scores from 0 to 40. A score of 8 or above indicates hazardous or harmful alcohol use. The AUDIT is the primary screening and outcome measure in psilocybin-assisted therapy trials for alcohol use disorder, including the landmark NYU trial led by Michael Bogenschutz demonstrating significant reductions in heavy drinking days after psilocybin treatment. It has excellent sensitivity (92%) and specificity (94%) for identifying hazardous drinking and is validated in over 40 languages.

Clinical Thresholds

040
Low risk
Score 0–7
Hazardous
Score 8–15
Harmful
Score 16–19
Dependence likely
Score 20–40

Outcome Data Across Studies

Reported results for AUDIT across 7 studies with quantitative data.

Outcome data across 19 study arm–timepoint observations
SD
High-dose ketamine infusion for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in combat veterans.
2019Secondary
Ketamine infusion(experimental)0235.36.8—
High-dose ketamine infusion for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in combat veterans.
2019Secondary
Ketamine infusion(experimental)21234.46.7—
Psilocybin-assisted group therapy for demoralized older long-term AIDS survivor men: An open-label safety and feasibility pilot study
2020Safety
Group therapy + psilocybin(experimental)0186.07.1—
Psilocybin-assisted group therapy for demoralized older long-term AIDS survivor men: An open-label safety and feasibility pilot study
2020Safety
Group therapy + psilocybin(experimental)90184.96.5—
MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study
2021Exploratory
MDMA-assisted therapy(experimental)0464.14.2—
MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study
2021Exploratory
Placebo with therapy(placebo)0442.83.2—
The Effects of MDMA-Assisted Therapy on Alcohol and Substance Use in a Phase 3 Trial for Treatment of Severe PTSD
2022Primary
MDMA-assisted therapy(experimental)0424.14.2—
The Effects of MDMA-Assisted Therapy on Alcohol and Substance Use in a Phase 3 Trial for Treatment of Severe PTSD
2022Primary
MDMA-assisted therapy(experimental)126423.23.40.044
The Effects of MDMA-Assisted Therapy on Alcohol and Substance Use in a Phase 3 Trial for Treatment of Severe PTSD
2022Primary
MDMA-assisted therapy(experimental)12642-1.0Δ3.50.044
The Effects of MDMA-Assisted Therapy on Alcohol and Substance Use in a Phase 3 Trial for Treatment of Severe PTSD
2022Primary
Placebo with therapy(placebo)0402.83.2—

Papers Using AUDIT

Open Accessindividual

MDMA-assisted therapy as a treatment for major depressive disorder: proof of principle study

In an open‑label proof‑of‑principle study of 12 participants with moderate–severe major depressive disorder, two MDMA‑assisted therapy sessions plus psychotherapy were feasible, well tolerated and produced large, statistically significant reductions in depressive symptoms (mean MADRS change −19.3) and functional impairment. No unexpected or serious adverse events occurred, and the authors conclude that randomised trials are needed to confirm efficacy.

Published
Journal
British Journal of Psychiatry
Authors
Kvam, T. M., Goksøyr, I. W., Rog, J., Jentoft Van De Vooren, I. T., Stewart, H., Autran, I., Berthold-Losleben, M., Mørch-Johnsen, L., Holst, R., Clausen, I., Andreassen, O. A.
Open Accessindividual

Self-compassion mediates treatment effects in MDMA-assisted therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder

This secondary analysis (n=82) of a Phase III RCT of MDMA-assisted therapy found significant improvements in both uncompassionate self-responding and compassionate self-responding across all six Self-Compassion Scale subscales, most with large effect sizes. Changes in self-compassion fully mediated the reductions in PTSD severity and depressive symptoms observed with MDMA-AT versus placebo plus therapy, though no significant effects were seen for alcohol or substance use outcomes.

Published
Journal
European Journal of Psychotraumatology
Authors
Agin-Liebes, G. I., Zeifman, R. J., Mitchell, J.
Open Accessindividual

Single-dose psilocybin therapy for alcohol use disorder: Pharmacokinetics, feasibility, safety and efficacy in an open-label study

This open-label study (n=10) investigates the effects of single-dose psilocybin (25mg) therapy in adults with severe alcohol use disorder (AUD). It finds significant reductions in alcohol consumption, craving, and increases in self-efficacy over 12 weeks following treatment despite notable between-participant pharmacokinetic variations.

Published
Journal
Journal of Psychopharmacology
Authors
Fink-Jensen, A., Jensen, M. E., Stenbæk, D. S., Messell, C. D., Poulsen, E. D., Varga, T. V., Fisher, P. M., Nielsen, M. K. K., Johansen, S. S., Volkow, N. D., Knudsen, G. M.
Open Accessindividual

Esketamine combined with a mindfulness-based intervention for individuals with alcohol problems

In a double-blind, randomised pilot study of 28 people with alcohol problems, sublingual esketamine (115.1 mg) combined with two weeks of daily mindfulness-based intervention increased psychological engagement with the practice and produced transient reductions in alcohol craving versus placebo. Esketamine also elicited greater mystical and dissociative experiences, suggesting these altered states may underlie enhanced engagement and potential therapeutic benefit.

Published
Journal
Journal of Psychopharmacology
Authors
Gent, E. M., Bryan, J. W., Cleary, M. A., Clarke, T. I., Holmwood, H. D., Nassereddine, R. O., Salway, C., Depla, S., Statton, S., Krecké, J., Morgan, C. J.
Open Accessindividual

The Effects of MDMA-Assisted Therapy on Alcohol and Substance Use in a Phase 3 Trial for Treatment of Severe PTSD

This trial (n=90) assessed patterns of alcohol and substance use in patients receiving MDMA-assisted therapy. MDMA was associated with a significant reduction in Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) scores when compared to placebo. Changes in Drug Use Disorder Identification Test (DUDIT) scores did not significantly differ between groups.

Published
Journal
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Authors
Nicholas, C. R., Wang, J. B., Coker, A., Mitchell, J., Klaire, S. S., Yazar-Klosinski, B., Emerson, A., Brown, R., Doblin, R.
Open Accessindividual

MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study

In a randomized, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled phase 3 trial of 90 patients with severe PTSD (including common comorbidities), MDMA‑assisted therapy produced a large, significant reduction in PTSD symptoms versus placebo (mean CAPS‑5 change −24.4 vs −13.9; P<0.0001, d=0.91) and improved functioning (SDS: P=0.0116, d=0.43). Treatment was well tolerated with no signals of abuse potential, increased suicidality or QT prolongation, indicating MDMA‑assisted therapy is a promising intervention warranting expedited evaluation.

Published
Journal
Nature Medicine
Authors
Mitchell, J., Bogenschutz, M. P., Lilienstein, A., Harrison, C., Kleiman, S., Parker-Guilbert, K., Ot’alora G, M., Garas, W., Paleos, C., Gorman, I., Nicholas, C. R., Mithoefer, A. T., Mithoefer, M. C., Carlin, S. C., Poulter, B., Quevedo, S., Wells, G., Klaire, S. S., van der Kolk, B., Tzarfaty, K., Amiaz, R., Worthy, R., Shannon, S., Woolley, J. D., Marta, C. J., Gelfand, Y., Hapke, E., Amar, S., Wallach, Y., Brown, R., Hamilton, S., Wang, J. B., Coker, A., Matthews, R., de Boer, A., Yazar-Klosinski, B., Emerson, A., Doblin, R.

Quick Facts

Full Name
Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test
Domain
Substance Use
Papers Indexed
8
Score Range
0–40
Interpretation
Lower = better
Unit
points
Reference
Visit
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