MAST Assessment: The Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (25 Questions)
What is the MAST Assessment?
The MAST screening tool is a 25-question test that is used to help identify an alcohol dependency. MAST stands for The Michigan Alcohol Screening Test. There are also shortened, and modified versions published over time including the Brief MAST, SMAST, and Mm-MAST. Questions included in MAST may be related to: risks associated with drinking patterns, neglect of responsibilities, loss of control, and other topics.
How Should I Use the MAST Test?
A clinician may use it as an interviewing tool or you may take and score it yourself. The MAST test should not be used to self-diagnose.
The MAST Screening Questions
Each of the 25 questions of the MAST questionnaire can be answered with a simple yes or no response. The associated points are shown with each response type. Questions can be modified by adding “or drug use” after drinking terms.
- Do you enjoy a drink now and then?
- Yes – 0
- No – 0
- Do you feel you are a normal drinker? (“normal” – drink as much or less than most other people)
- Yes – 0
- No – 2
- Have you ever awakened the morning after some drinking the night before and found that you could not remember a part of the evening?
- Yes – 2
- No – 0
- Does your wife, husband, a parent, or other near relative ever worry or complain about your drinking?
- Yes – 1
- No – 0
- Can you stop drinking without a struggle after one or two drinks?
- Yes – 0
- No – 2
- Do you feel guilt about your drinking?
- Yes – 1
- No – 0
- Do friends or relatives think you are a normal drinker?
- Yes – 0
- No – 2
- Are you able to stop drinking when you want to?
- Yes – 0
- No – 2
- Have you ever attended a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous?
- Yes – 5
- No – 0
- Have you gotten into physical fights when drinking?
- Yes – 1
- No – 0
- Has your drinking ever created problems between you and your wife, husband, a parent, or other relatives?
- Yes – 2
- No – 0
- Has your wife, husband (or other family members) ever gone to anyone for help about your drinking?
- Yes – 2
- No – 0
- Have you ever lost friends because of your drinking?
- Yes – 2
- No – 0
- Have you ever gotten into trouble at work because of your drinking?
- Yes – 2
- No – 0
- Have you ever lost a job because of your drinking?
- Yes – 2
- No – 0
- Have you ever neglected your obligations, your family, or your work for two or more days in a row because you were drinking?
- Yes – 2
- No – 0
- Do you drink before noon fairly often?
- Yes – 1
- No – 0
- Have you ever been told you have liver trouble? Cirrhosis?
- Yes – 2
- No – 0
- After heavy drinking, have you ever had Delirium Tremens (D.T.’s) or sever shaking, or heard voices, or seen things that weren’t there? How many times? __*
- Yes – 2 *Add +5 points for each episode of Delirium Tremens
- No – 0
- Have you ever gone to anyone for help about your drinking?
- Yes – 5
- No – 0
- Have you ever been in a hospital because of drinking?
- Yes – 5
- No – 0
- Have you ever been a patient in a psychiatric hospital or on a psychiatric ward of a general hospital where drinking was a part of the problem that resulted in hospitalization?
- Yes – 2
- No – 0
- Have you ever been seen at a psychiatric or mental health clinic or gone to any doctor, social worker, or clergyman for help because of any emotional problem, where drinking was part of the problem?
- Yes – 2
- No – 0
- Have you ever been arrested for drunk driving, driving while intoxicated, or driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs? How many times? __*
- Yes – 2 *Add +2 points for each arrest
- No – 0
- Have you ever been arrested, or taken into custody, even for a few hours, because of other drunk behavior? How many times? __**
- Yes – 2 *Add +2 points for each arrest
- No – 0
How is the MAST Assessment Scored?
Take the total sum of points associated with each answer type. Five points or more indicates the probability of a substance abuser, four points is suggestive, and three or less is normal. Eight points or above is stronger evidence for chronic substance abuse or dependence.
How Should I Use My MAST Results?
As mentioned earlier, this test alone should not be used to self-diagnose a problem and the appropriate professional should help you to understand your results. If you believe you or someone you love may be dealing with issues in relation to alcohol or drug addiction and abuse, call us at If you believe you need treatment and want to know whether insurance is able to cover all or part of the cost of treatment, find out instantly below.
American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand.
While we are unable to respond to your feedback directly, we'll use this information to improve our online help.
