An Overview of the Tools and Screening Tests for Detection of Alcohol Disorders

People with high risk alcohol use disorders are influenced by behaviors that have devastating consequences for them and those around them. The main objective for alcohol screening is to identify people with alcohol use disorders, or people who are at high risk for progression to these disorders. Several screening tools have been designed for this purpose. The aim of this study was to introduce and review important screening tools for identification of alcohol use disorders and problems in the world.
In this narrative review study, we searched the Web of Science (ISI), PubMed, and Scopus databases using Alcohol, Tools or Instruments, Test, Problem, Use and Use disorder as keywords for finding screening tools for identification of alcohol use problems and disorders. Finally, 10 instruments were introduced.
The most common screening tools for identification of alcohol use disorders and problems were Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), CAGE, Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), as well as T-ACE and TWEAK that are specifically used for evaluation of alcohol consumption in pregnant women. The short forms of the AUDIT, RAPS, POSIT, and CRAFFT are other tests for alcohol consumption.
Several screening tools have been designed for identification of alcohol use disorders and problems; therefore, n appropriate screening test should be selected and implemented with regards to the purpose of screening, research questions, and study population.