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Patient Education

AUDIT Alcohol Use Screening

A brief, confidential conversation to understand your relationship with alcohol and support your long-term health.

The AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) is a brief, validated questionnaire that helps you and Dr. Golian understand your drinking patterns and whether they may be affecting your health. It is a routine part of preventative medicine at our Los Angeles practice, offered without judgment and held in full confidence.

How the AUDIT Screening Works

The screening is a short series of questions about how often and how much you drink, and whether alcohol has had any effect on your daily life. You can complete it in just a few minutes during a visit or as part of your comprehensive physical examination.

Your answers generate a simple score that helps Dr. Golian gauge your level of risk, from low to potentially harmful. There are no needles, no labs, and no right or wrong answers, just an honest snapshot that guides the conversation that follows.

How to Prepare for Your Screening

No special preparation is needed. The most valuable thing you can bring is candor, since accurate answers lead to genuinely helpful guidance.

It can help to think ahead about a typical week, how many days you drink and roughly how many drinks you have. If alcohol use overlaps with concerns like anxiety, depression, or trouble sleeping, mention that too, so we can look at the full picture together.

After Your Screening

Dr. Golian will review your results with you and discuss what they mean for your health. If your score suggests low risk, this may simply be reassurance and a baseline for future visits.

If your pattern points to higher risk, next steps are tailored to you and may include alcohol reduction counseling, a broader lifestyle modification plan, or coordinated specialist support. Because alcohol can affect organs over time, we may also monitor related areas such as your metabolic panel to keep an eye on liver health.

Why This Screening Matters

  • Early insight. Identifies risky drinking patterns before they affect your health or relationships.
  • Personalized guidance. Connects your results to counseling, lifestyle support, or referral when needed.
  • Whole-person care. Considers how alcohol interacts with mood, sleep, and other conditions you may have.
  • Completely confidential. Your answers stay private and inform supportive, judgment-free care.

Frequently Asked Questions

1What is the AUDIT alcohol screening?
It is a brief, validated questionnaire that asks about your drinking patterns to help identify whether alcohol may be affecting your health. The result is a simple score that guides a supportive conversation with Dr. Golian.
2Is the screening confidential?
Yes. Your answers are kept private within your medical record and are used only to provide you with accurate, judgment-free guidance about your health.
3How long does it take?
Most patients complete the questionnaire in just a few minutes, often as part of a routine visit or annual physical.
4What happens if my score is high?
A higher score does not mean a diagnosis. Dr. Golian will talk through your results with you and may suggest alcohol reduction counseling, lifestyle changes, or coordinated specialist support tailored to your needs.
5Do I need to stop drinking before the screening?
No. There is no preparation required. The screening is most helpful when you answer honestly about your usual habits over a typical week.

Schedule Your AUDIT Alcohol Use Screening

Take a confidential, judgment-free step toward understanding your health with Dr. Golian in Los Angeles.

Schedule a Consultation

Medical Disclaimer

The information on this site is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this site does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal guidance. If this is an emergency, call 911. Mentions of medications, devices, or procedures are informational and not endorsements. Full medical disclaimer.

Some listed indications involve investigational/off-label use. Learn more.