Self-Scored Screening
Take the following brief, self-scored screening questionnaire to get a rough idea about where you stand. Be honest with yourself and decide on the most appropriate answer after each question. Jot down the number from the top of the column containing your selected answer, and when you're finished, add the numbers in the scoring column to get your TOTAL SCORE. (For all these questions, one drink equals a 12 oz. Beer, a glass of wine, a mixed drink, or a shot.)
|
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Score |
|
|
1. How often do you have a drink containing alcohol? |
Never |
Monthly or less |
2-4 times/ month |
2-3 times/ week |
4 or more times/ week |
|
|
2. How many drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking? |
1 or 2 |
3 or 4 |
5 or 6 |
7 to 9 |
10 or more |
|
|
3. How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion? |
Never |
Less than monthly |
Monthly |
Weekly |
Daily or almost daily |
|
|
4. How often during the past year have you been unable to stop drinking once you started? |
Never |
Less than monthly |
Monthly |
Weekly |
Daily or almost daily |
|
|
5. How often during the past year have you failed to do what was normally expected of you because of drinking? |
Never |
Less than monthly |
Monthly |
Weekly |
Daily or almost daily |
|
|
6. How often during the year have you needed a drink in the morning to get going after a heavy drinking session? |
Never |
Less than monthly |
Monthly |
Weekly |
Daily or almost daily |
|
|
7. How often during the past year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking? |
Never |
Less than monthly |
Monthly |
Weekly |
Daily or almost daily |
|
|
8. How often during the past year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because of drinking? |
Never |
Less than Monthly |
Monthly |
Weekly |
Daily or almost daily |
|
|
9. Have you or someone else been injured as a result of your drinking? |
No |
Yes, but not in the past year |
Yes, during the past year |
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|
10. Has a relative, friend, doctor, or other health worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down? |
No |
Yes, but not in the past year |
Yes, during the past year |
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|
TOTAL SCORE |
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According to norms developed by the World Health Organization, a total of 8-15 may indicate a problem with alcohol use. A total score of 16 or more may suggest a more serious problem.
If you're still unsure about your drinking, the Counseling Center offers a 2-session intervention called BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students). BASICS will help you more carefully assess the risks and benefits of your current drinking pattern without labeling you or forcing anything down your throat. It will not only provide feedback about how your drinking compares with your peers, but, if you're interested, it will give you some specific suggestions on how you can reduce the negative consequences that sometimes go with drinking excessively without giving up alcohol altogether and without giving up having a good time.