DUDIT Calculator

Written by Great Medico

Updated September 24, 2026 •2 min read

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Substance-use calculations need especially careful interpretation because a score is not the same as a diagnosis or a measure of safety. DUDIT Calculator focuses on the limited question its fields can answer.

What this calculator does

DUDIT Calculator uses Sex, DUDIT question 1, DUDIT question 2, DUDIT question 3, DUDIT question 4, DUDIT question 5, DUDIT question 6, and the remaining fields shown to calculate DUDIT. It is built around the exact fields displayed in this plugin rather than a generic version of the topic. Substance-use calculators can organize exposure or screening information, but they cannot determine impairment, withdrawal safety, diagnosis, or prognosis on their own. When there is risk of overdose or dangerous withdrawal, clinical care takes priority over the score.

How to use it

Complete the requested fields, including Sex, DUDIT question 1, DUDIT question 2, DUDIT question 3, DUDIT question 4, and DUDIT question 5, then finish the remaining items shown in the calculator. Confirm that each yes/no, category, date, or score option is applied exactly as labeled. Keep amounts, dates, and questionnaire answers within the same exposure or screening timeframe requested by the tool.

How the calculation works

The DUDIT score is the sum of the eleven selected item values covering drug-use frequency, problems, dependence features, harm, and concern from self or others. This implementation uses a screening cutoff of 2 points for females and 6 points for males.

Example

Using the sample values prefilled in this calculator, the primary result is 0 points (Below common screening cutoff). This worked example shows how the plugin’s own default inputs flow through the implemented method; replace them with the correct patient, laboratory, imaging, or personal values before interpreting a result.

How to interpret the result

A total at or above the stored cutoff is a positive drug-use screen. It should trigger clarification of substances, frequency, harms, dependence symptoms, overdose risk, and withdrawal risk rather than being treated as a diagnosis.

Limitations and notes

DUDIT is a screening questionnaire, not a substance-use-disorder diagnosis. Cutoffs vary by setting and population, and the score does not identify the drug, overdose risk, withdrawal danger, or treatment level needed.