Inconsistencies between alcohol screening results based on AUDIT-C scores and reported drinking on the AUDIT-C questions: prevalence in two US national samples

Table 1 Definitions used in this report and US recommended drinking limits[39]

*Study definition of drinking above recommended limits:*	≥5 drinks^* in any single day^** and/or exceeding gender-specific US recommendations for maximum average number of drinks^* per week
*Heavy episodic drinking:*	Drinking above recommended daily drinking limits (≥5 drinks in any single day, in this report; gender-specific US recommended limits below)
*Alcohol use disorder:*	DSM-IV diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence
*Unhealthy alcohol use:*	Drinking above recommended drinking limits and/or alcohol use disorder diagnosis
*Gender-specific US recommended drinking limits:*	*Maximum number of drinks* ^* *in any single day*	*Maximum average number of drinks* ^* *per week*
Men	4 drinks	14 drinks
Women	3 drinks	7 drinks
*Questions used to define drinking above US recommended limits*
	> Weekly limits	AUDIT-C Questions #1-2
	Heavy episodic drinking	AUDIT-C Questions #2-3

^*Drinks refer to standard-sized drinks: 12 oz. beer, 5 oz. wine, or 1.5 oz. liquor.
^**The same definition of heavy episodic drinking was used in men and women because the AUDIT-C questions used in this study did not assess drinking 4 or more drinks on an occasion.

ISSN: 1940-0640