Alcohol Use

The following questions will give us a picture of your recent alcohol use. Please select the response that best describes your drinking. If you haven’t been drinking alcohol you don’t need to answer the questions.

Please select the response that best describes your use:



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1How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?NeverMonthly or less2-4 times a month2-3 times a week4 or more times a week
2How many drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking?1 or 23 or 45 or 67 to 910 or more
3How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion?NeverLess than monthlyMonthly WeeklyDaily or almost daily
4How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?NeverLess than monthlyMonthlyWeeklyDaily or almost daily
5How often during the last year have you failed to do what was expected of you because of drinking?NeverLess than monthlyMonthlyWeeklyDaily or almost daily
6How often during the last year have you needed a first drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?NeverLess than monthlyMonthlyWeeklyDaily or almost daily
7How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?NeverLess than monthlyMonthlyWeeklyDaily or almost daily
8How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because of your drinking?NeverLess than monthlyMonthlyWeeklyDaily or almost daily
9Have you or someone else been injured because of your drinking?No
Yes, but not in the last year
Yes, during the last year
10Has a relative, friend, doctor, or other health care worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down?No
Yes, but not in the last year
Yes, during the last year

Please add up your points to read about your score below:

0-7 low risk – Intervention not required however if you feel you would like to make changes or that your alcohol use is problematic for you, please call BAODS on 1800229263 to talk about what options might work for you.

8-15 moderate risk–  Your current drinking may be affecting your health and wellbeing and your ability to complete your daily activities and responsibilities. You may benefit from talking with one of our staff about the harms associated with your current alcohol intake and strategies to reduce these harms. This may include safer drinking practices, health and nutrition advice, alternate coping and wellbeing strategies or support to reduce your intake. Some people benefit from Counselling or Group support to help to make these changes . Please call BAODS on 1800229263 to talk about what options might work for you.

6-19 high risk – You are currently drinking at a harmful level.  You might be feeling the effects of your drinking on your health, wellbeing, ability to carry out your daily activities, your relationships and employment. Reducing or ceasing your drinking will decrease the short and long- term harms on your health and wellbeing. There are several support options for you including counselling, home based detox services, day programs, group programs and if required residential detox support. There is also case management support for people who require more practical assistance and support around housing, employment, wellbeing, health and social connection.

It is not recommended that you cease drinking without consulting with your GP. Stopping drinking suddenly can have harmful side effects for some people. Please call BAODS on 1800229263 to talk about what options might work for you.

20 or over -High risk –  dependence likely. This means you may need to drink to avoid feeling unwell, shaky, anxious or to feel “normal”. Ongoing drinking at this level will result in harms to your health and wellbeing and ability to carry out your daily activities and responsibilities. There are several support options for you including counselling, home based detox services, day programs, group programs and if required residential detox and rehabilitation support. There is also case management support for people who require more practical assistance and support around housing, employment, wellbeing, health and social connection.

Ceasing or reducing your drinking  without medical advice and supervision is not recommended and may result in serious side effects associated with your body going into withdrawal. Please call BAODS on 1800229263 to talk about what options might work for you.