CAGE questionnaire for alcohol use

The CAGE questionnaire is used to screen for alcohol abuse. CAGE is an acronym and stands for Cut down drinking, Annoyed by criticism, Guilty feelings and Eye-opener.

Cut down drinking
Have you ever felt you needed to cut down on your drinking?
Annoyed by criticism
Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
Guilty feelings
Have you ever felt guilty about drinking?
Eye-opener
Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

CAGE

Interpretation
Points
0-1 Alcohol abuse unlikely
2-4 Alcohol abuse or dependence likely
References
  1. Ewing JA. Detecting alcoholism. The CAGE questionnaire. JAMA 1984; 252: 1905-1907

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