Swanswell Community Alcohol Services for Coventry and Warwickshire

Latest news Drugs Alcohol Service user involvement Commissioners & partners

What happens Alcohol awareness Supporting people Worried about someone

Carers support service Young people

Drink check

How do I know if I have a problem?
Have a look at the short test below and answer the questions as honestly as you can.

The FAST Test
Fast Alcohol Screening Test

This test helps you to decide whether you might be at risk of harm from your drinking. Click here for more information about problem drinking.

1. How often do you have eight or more drinks on one occasion?
(1 drink = ½ pint of beer or 1 glass of wine or 1 single spirit)

Never

Less Than Monthly

Monthly

Weekly

Daily or Almost Daily

If you answer "never" on the first question, you are not a hazardous drinker and the remaining questions are not necessary. But you can still contact us if you would like advice and help with your drinking or someone else's.

If you answer "weekly" or "daily or almost daily" on the first question, you are considered a hazardous drinker. You do not need to answer the rest of the questions, but please get in touch with us for some advice or information. Click here to contact us.

If you answer "monthly" or "less than monthly" on the first question, you need to answer the next three questions to complete the screening for hazardous drinking.

2. How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night
before because you had been drinking?

Never

Less Than Monthly

Monthly

Weekly

Daily or Almost Daily

3. Has a friend, relative, doctor or other health worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down?

Never

Less Than Monthly

Monthly

Weekly

Daily or Almost Daily

4. Has a relative or friend, a doctor or other health worker been concerned about your drinking
or suggested you cut down?

Yes, but not in the last year.

Yes, in the last year.

Scoring the FAST Test

Score questions 1, 2 and 3 as follows:

Never - 0 points
Less than monthly - 1 point
Monthly - 2 points
Weekly - 3 points
Daily or almost daily - 4 points

Score question 4 as follows:

No - 0 points
Yes, but not in the last year - 2 points
Yes, in the last year - 4 points

The maximum score is 16. A total score of 3 indicates hazardous drinking, so if you score 3 or more it may be worth you getting in touch with us for some advice or information. Click here to contact us.

The FAST Test (PDF), by the Health Development Agency and University of Wales College of Medicine. Click here to download.