Alcohol use self check Maryland
An alcohol use self check Maryland tool shows how your drinking compares with a known screening standard. The AUDIT-C asks 3 questions, and a score of 4 or higher for men, or 3 or higher for women, suggests a closer look. You answer honestly, add up your score, and then decide what to do with it.
This self check asks a few short questions: how often you drink, how much you drink on a typical day, and how often you have six or more drinks on one occasion. It is based on the AUDIT-C, a screening tool from the World Health Organization that the US Department of Veterans Affairs also uses. A score of 4 or higher for men, or 3 or higher for women, suggests it may be worth a closer look at your drinking.
The self check is not a diagnosis. Only a health care professional can diagnose alcohol use disorder. What the check does is give you a number to start a conversation with, whether that is with a doctor, a counselor, or a treatment advisor on a helpline. Your answers are private, and taking a few minutes to score yourself is a low-pressure way to see where you stand.
What to do with your score
Score below the threshold
If you scored below 4 (men) or 3 (women), your drinking may still carry some risk, but it is less likely to be problematic. Keep an eye on how often you drink heavily, and talk with your doctor if your pattern changes.
Score at or above the threshold
For men, a score of 4 or higher, or 3 or higher for women, points toward getting a more complete assessment. That assessment can come from your primary care doctor or an addiction counselor. If calling feels easier as a first move, a helpline at no cost can link you to licensed providers across Maryland.
You have symptoms of withdrawal
When you have quit or reduced your drinking and start noticing shaking, sweating, nausea, or a fast heartbeat, a clinician should be watching over you. Alcohol withdrawal can become dangerous. Please do not go through it by yourself. Reach out to your doctor or a helpline to locate a detox program.
You want to explore treatment options
Maryland has 422 facilities listed on SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov, including 88 offering medical detox, 110 inpatient or residential rehab, and 362 outpatient rehab. A treatment advisor can help you narrow down programs that accept your insurance or Maryland Medicaid.
How the alcohol use self check works
The AUDIT-C is made up of three questions: how often you drink anything with alcohol in it, how many drinks you usually have on a day when you drink, and how often you have six or more drinks at once. Each answer sits on a scale from 0 to 4, and you add your scores up. A higher total suggests your drinking is more likely to be affecting your health or safety. This three-question AUDIT-C screen is the same tool many Maryland primary care and addiction treatment settings use.
Scoring is straightforward. The maximum is 12. For men, a score of 4 or more is considered positive. For women, the threshold is 3 or more. A positive screen does not mean you have alcohol use disorder. It does mean your drinking pattern is worth discussing with a professional. If you have already tried to cut back and found it difficult, that is also useful information to share.
FAQ
What is the alcohol use self check Maryland tool?
This is the AUDIT-C, a screen of 3 questions about risky drinking that yields a score between 0 and 12. Scoring 4 or higher for men, or 3 or higher for women, suggests taking a closer look at how much you drink. It is a screening tool, not a diagnosis, yet it hands you a specific number to share with a doctor or a treatment advisor.
How many alcohol rehab facilities are in Maryland?
There are 422 facilities listed on SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov in Maryland as of 2026. Among them, 88 offer medical detox, 110 inpatient or residential rehab, 74 partial hospitalization, 210 intensive outpatient, and 362 outpatient rehab. These counts show the range of options, though not every program is right for every person.
Does Maryland Medicaid cover alcohol rehab?
For members who qualify, Maryland Medicaid covers treatment for substance use disorders, including detox, outpatient counseling, and residential care. The exact scope of coverage varies by your plan and the particular program. If you are on Medicaid, ask the program directly whether it takes your coverage before you schedule anything. The helpline can also steer you toward programs that accept Maryland Medicaid.
What should I do if my self check score is high?
A high score means your drinking is worth discussing with a professional. Start with your primary care doctor or call a free, confidential helpline. If you have withdrawal symptoms, seek medical care right away, because alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous. You do not have to commit to any treatment to make that first call.
How does the self check help me choose a level of care?
Your score does not pick a level of care for you, but it can guide the conversation. A score at or above the threshold often leads to a fuller assessment, which may point toward outpatient counseling, an intensive outpatient program, or, if withdrawal is a concern, medical detox. In Maryland, 88 facilities offer detox and 362 offer outpatient rehab, so the options are broad.
Why do people commonly seek rehab?
People seek treatment for many reasons: difficulty cutting back, health problems, strain on relationships, or a doctor's recommendation. A self check score can be one more piece of information. If your score is at or above 4 for men or 3 for women, a fuller assessment can clarify whether treatment is warranted and which level fits.
Ready to talk about your score?
If your self check has you thinking, a free call can help you work out the next step. Advisors answer the helpline 24/7 and connect callers with licensed programs. Calling costs nothing and stays confidential. They can tell you which Maryland programs accept your insurance or Medicaid, and what to expect from detox, outpatient, or inpatient care. You do not need to have decided anything yet. Calling the helpline is a way to get clear, local answers about treatment centers in Maryland.