CAGE Questionnaire for Alcohol Problems
Topic Overview
The CAGE questionnaire is used to test for alcohol
abuse and
dependence in adults. It is not used to diagnose the
disease but only to show whether a problem might exist.
The CAGE questionnaire consists of four questions that relate to your
use of alcohol:1
- Have you ever felt that you ought to
Cut down on your drinking?
- Do you get
Annoyed by criticism of your drinking?
- Do
you ever feel Guilty about your drinking?
- Do
you ever take an Early-morning drink (eye-opener) to get
the day started or to get rid of a hangover ("a little hair of the dog that bit
you")?
If you answer "yes," "sometimes," or "often" to 2 or more of the questions, you might have a problem with alcohol. If you
think you or someone you care about has an
alcohol use problem, talk with a health professional.
Further evaluation by a trained alcohol abuse counselor might be needed.
References
Citations
- Saitz R, et al. (2003). Addressing alcohol problems in
primary care: A cluster randomized, controlled trial of a systems intervention.
Annals of Internal Medicine, 138: 372–382.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry |
|---|
| Last Revised | July 11, 2011 |
|---|
Last Revised:
July 11, 2011
Saitz R, et al. (2003). Addressing alcohol problems in
primary care: A cluster randomized, controlled trial of a systems intervention.
Annals of Internal Medicine, 138: 372–382.
