NCJ Number
182033
Journal
Drug and Alcohol Review Volume: 19 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2000 Pages: 49-54
Date Published
March 2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article examines the use of AUDIT as a screening tool for alcohol use in the police workplace.
Abstract
In this study a large-scale sample (n = 4,193) of police personnel completed the 10 AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) questions and two readiness-to-change questions. Sixty-five percent scored in the low risk of hazardous alcohol consumption range, 32 percent (33 percent of males and 24 percent of females) scored in the at-risk for harmful alcohol consumption range and 3 percent scored in the range indicating risk of alcohol dependence. Age was a clear risk factor of hazardous drinking patterns. The 18-25-year age group recorded higher average alcohol consumption, higher rates of risk of abnormal drinking behavior, higher rates of adverse consequences from drinking alcohol and higher total AUDIT scores. This was consistent for both males and females. Of those scoring in the at-risk range, 72.5 percent reported that they did not have a drinking problem. Sixty percent also reported that it would be easy to stop drinking. The study demonstrates how the AUDIT can be used to provide strong evidence of the need for work-based intervention programs and to target particular groups within the organization at risk of harmful alcohol use. Tables, figure, references