You answered 24 questions about your drinking and its consequences, and got a score between 0 and 53. The MAST (Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test) is one of the most comprehensive and historically significant alcohol screening tools. Unlike shorter tests that focus on a few warning signs, the MAST evaluates how alcohol has affected multiple areas of your life. Here's what your score means.
The quick answer
| Score | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| 0-4 | No alcohol problem indicated |
| 5-6 | Possible alcohol problem; further evaluation helpful |
| 7-20 | Probable alcohol problem |
| 21-53 | Severe alcohol problem |
A score of 5 or higher suggests alcohol-related problems that warrant attention. The higher your score, the more severe and widespread the consequences have been.
Why 24 questions?
The MAST is longer than other alcohol screens (like the 4-question CAGE) because it looks at alcohol's impact across your entire life:
- Drinking patterns: Do you feel you're a normal drinker? Can you stop after one or two?
- Social consequences: Has drinking affected relationships, friendships, or work?
- Medical consequences: Blackouts? Liver problems? Hospital visits?
- Legal consequences: DUI arrests? Other alcohol-related legal trouble?
This comprehensive approach means the MAST captures problems that briefer screens might miss—but it also means it takes longer.
How the scoring works
Not all questions are weighted equally. The MAST recognizes that some consequences are more serious than others:
5 points each:
- Ever attended an AA meeting
- Ever sought help for drinking
- Ever hospitalized because of drinking
2 points each:
- Blackouts
- Lost job due to drinking
- Relationship problems from drinking
- DUI/DWI arrests
- Most other significant consequences
1 point each:
- Family members worrying about your drinking
- Feeling guilty about drinking
- Physical fights while drinking
- Drinking before noon
So if you've been to AA (5 points) and experienced blackouts (2 points), you're already at 7—in the "probable problem" range—even if everything else was negative.
What to do based on your score
Score 0-4 (no alcohol problem indicated)
Your answers don't suggest significant alcohol-related problems. This is reassuring, though it doesn't mean alcohol couldn't become a problem in the future.
Score 5-6 (possible problem)
Your score is in the borderline range. Consider:
- Reflecting on your drinking patterns
- Discussing alcohol with your doctor
- Monitoring for any new problems
This range warrants attention but doesn't necessarily indicate severe problems.
Score 7-20 (probable alcohol problem)
Your score suggests likely alcohol use disorder. The consequences have accumulated across multiple areas. Consider:
- Seeking professional evaluation from a doctor or addiction specialist
- Discussing treatment options (therapy, medication, support groups)
- Not waiting to see if things improve on their own
Score 21-53 (severe alcohol problem)
This score indicates significant alcohol problems with consequences across many life domains. Comprehensive treatment is recommended:
- Seek professional help soon
- Medical evaluation is important (especially if you drink daily)
- Intensive treatment programs may be appropriate
- If you stop drinking suddenly after heavy use, medical supervision is important (alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous)
The four areas the MAST examines
Drinking patterns (8 questions)
These assess your relationship with alcohol itself:
- Do you consider yourself a normal drinker?
- Can you stop after one or two drinks?
- Are you able to stop when you want to?
- Do you drink before noon?
Answering "no" to questions about control suggests difficulty managing alcohol.
Social consequences (8 questions)
These examine how drinking has affected relationships and responsibilities:
- Has drinking caused relationship problems?
- Have family members worried about your drinking?
- Have you lost friends due to drinking?
- Have you had work or school problems from drinking?
- Have you lost a job because of drinking?
Social consequences often accumulate gradually. You might not realize how widespread the impact has been until you answer these questions.
Medical consequences (6 questions)
These assess physical health impacts:
- Have you had blackouts?
- Have you been told you have liver problems?
- Have you experienced DTs (delirium tremens) or hallucinations?
- Have you been hospitalized for drinking?
Medical consequences indicate that alcohol is damaging your body. These deserve medical attention regardless of your total score.
Legal consequences (2 questions)
These evaluate run-ins with the law:
- DUI/DWI arrests
- Other arrests related to drunk behavior
Legal consequences often indicate impaired judgment and loss of control that affects more than just yourself.
Common questions
My score was high because of things from years ago. Does that still count?
The MAST asks about lifetime experience, so yes—those historical problems contribute to your score. However, if you've been sober for years, your high score reflects past problems, not necessarily current ones. In clinical settings, providers also assess current drinking patterns separately.
I attended AA once to support a friend. Does that count?
Technically, answering "yes" adds 5 points. But screening tools are meant to capture general patterns. One supportive attendance is different from seeking help for your own drinking. Use your judgment—and in a clinical setting, you can explain the context.
My score was low, but I still feel like I drink too much. What should I think?
The MAST focuses on consequences that have already happened. If you're concerned about your drinking but haven't yet experienced major consequences, your concern is still valid. Trust your instincts—early intervention prevents consequences from developing.
Why is AA attendance scored so heavily?
Attending AA (5 points) is weighted heavily because it typically indicates someone has recognized a significant problem and sought help. It's not a punishment for seeking help—it's recognition that help-seeking behavior usually reflects serious concerns.
How is this different from the CAGE?
| MAST | CAGE | |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 24 | 4 |
| Time | 5-10 minutes | Under 1 minute |
| Focus | Comprehensive consequences | Core dependence signs |
| Strength | Detailed severity picture | Quick screening |
The CAGE is faster; the MAST is more comprehensive.
What the MAST doesn't tell you
It doesn't measure how much you drink. The MAST focuses on consequences, not consumption. Someone drinking heavily who hasn't (yet) experienced major consequences might score low.
It doesn't distinguish past from present. Historical problems count the same as current ones. Someone in long-term recovery may score high despite current sobriety.
It doesn't diagnose. A high score indicates problems warranting evaluation—not a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder. Formal diagnosis requires clinical assessment.
If you're concerned about your drinking
Regardless of your specific score, if you're worried about alcohol:
- Talk to your doctor — They can assess your drinking and discuss options
- Call SAMHSA's National Helpline — 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7)
- Consider treatment options — Therapy, medication, AA, SMART Recovery, and other approaches can help
- Know that help works — Many people recover from alcohol problems with appropriate support
Important: Alcohol withdrawal
If you drink heavily every day and decide to stop, don't do it alone. Alcohol withdrawal can be medically serious—even life-threatening in severe cases. Symptoms can include:
- Tremors
- Anxiety
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
If you're physically dependent on alcohol, talk to a doctor before stopping. Medical supervision makes withdrawal safer.
The bottom line
Your MAST score reflects how many consequences you've experienced from drinking across your lifetime. Scores of 0-4 suggest no significant problems. Scores of 5-6 indicate possible problems. Scores of 7 or higher suggest probable alcohol use disorder. The MAST is comprehensive but asks about lifetime experience—high scores from past problems may not reflect current drinking. If your score concerns you, professional evaluation can help clarify what support you might benefit from.
Related assessments
- CAGE — Brief 4-question alcohol screen
- PHQ-9 — Depression screening (often co-occurs with alcohol problems)
- GAD-7 — Anxiety screening
- DASS-21 — Combined depression, anxiety, and stress measure