Which statement describes the purpose of the AUDIT in adults?

• A. It is a diagnostic tool used for substance use disorders
• B. It requires a blood test to complete
• C. It is a self-administered clinical interview
• D. It is a screening tool used to identify individuals at risk for alcohol use disorders and guide further assessment

Answer: (D)

The main idea tested is the purpose of the AUDIT in adults. The AUDIT is a screening instrument designed to identify adults who are drinking in a hazardous or harmful way and who may have an alcohol use disorder, so that a more thorough assessment can follow. It focuses on recent drinking patterns, dependence symptoms, and related problems, and it yields a score that guides next steps—such as brief intervention for lower-risk drinkers or a full diagnostic evaluation for those at higher risk. It is not a diagnostic tool, it does not require blood tests, and it isn’t a full clinical interview; instead, it functions to flag individuals who need further assessment.