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Of course, the CAGE questionnaire isn’t the only test to check for alcohol or substance abuse. There are a few similar tests, with the most similar being the CAGE-AID questionnaire. When comparing this with GGT liver function tests that detected only a third of patients drinking more than 16 drinks per day, the CAGE assessment proves to be highly efficient. As an internationally applicable assessment instrument for identifying alcoholics, the CAGE questionnaire has been used ever since. A score of two or three would indicate a clinically significant alcohol dependency or alcohol use disorder.

• The CAGE assessment meaning comes from the focus of each of the CAGE assessment questions.
• Moreover, any inquiries about drinking frequency can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the questions.
• Using a quick, online assessment can indicate the need for a follow-up alcohol evaluation by a licensed provider.
• Treatment providers can connect you with programs that provide the tools to help you get and stay sober.

Of these assessments, the CAGE Assessment is the shortest with only four questions. Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare. AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data. The Verified badge on our articles is a trusted sign of the most comprehensive scientifically-based medical content.

Variations of CAGE test

Only a small proportion of physicians integrate evaluation for alcoholism and other addictions into their standard work-up. A score of 2 to 3 indicates a high index of suspicion and a score of 4 is virtually diagnostic for alcoholism. CAGE alcohol assessment procedure was developed at North Carolina Memorial Hospital, in 1968. The staff wanted to make a quick assessment tool and make their screening procedures a lot more efficient.

For example, Alcoholics Anonymous works with people dependent on alcohol. Occasional drug users who answer the questionnaire likely won’t receive accurate results. This led to the successful isolation of four questions that make up today’s CAGE questionnaire. John A. Ewing, MD, (d. 2006), founding director of the Bowles Centre for Alcohol Studies at the University of North Carolina, developed the CAGE assessment in 1968.

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Another instrument to assess alcohol use is The MAST-G (Blow et al., 1992), which was specifically developed for use with older adults. Questions on the instrument are all geared to life situations among older adults that may have acted as catalysts for excessive alcohol use. An example is item #20, which asks if drinking has increased after experiencing a loss. The MAST-G consists of 24 yes or no items which may take some older adults a long time to complete.

The CAGE-AID assessment adds the drug component to the questionnaire, enabling it to be used to identify both alcohol and drug addiction. Do you have any questions about the CAGE substance abuse assessment tool or CAGE questions alcohol or drug focused? Do you have any questions about the CAGE alcohol assessment tool or the acronym CAGE in substance abuse? The CAGE questionnaire is a self-guided assessment that can be used as a first step in determining whether your drinking habits are cause for concern. It is used in a variety of settings, including medical practices and emergency rooms. It’s often a first-line questionnaire given to patients before other questions about substance use are asked.

A person who has 4 “yes” answers is likely to exhibit the main symptoms of alcoholism in all the main spheres of functioning. CAGE drinking assessment tool is more and more reliable and valid as the scores go up, which means that scoring 4 on this test is a good sign of chronic, pervasive alcoholism. Having a minimal score on this drug abuse screening test usually means that the interviewee isn’t an alcoholic. However, the CAGE screening tool is rather straightforward and it’s obvious what it’s about, which is why some alcoholics might lie in order to pass this test. In other words, alcoholics may dissimulate, and try to hide their disorder.

Instead, they can be used as a starting point along with the help of a qualified healthcare professional. Popular among clinicians, the CAGE questionnaire is an alcohol assessment tool widely used as a screening test to check for problem drinking or alcohol dependency. The CAGE questionnaire score is only the first step in diagnosing a drinking problem.

A: Have people Annoyed you to by criticizing your drinking?

As such, the CAGE method is widely used in primary care facilities, when a quick assessment of alcoholism is needed. The eco sober house rating for substance abuse is easy to give when taking a health history or doing a psychosocial assessment of a patient. Being that there are just four CAGE test questions, it’s a quick assessment and one that fits naturally into a conversation about the patient’s health/behavior history. The CAGE questionnaire is not a complex psychological test, although it has a strong grounding in the psychological mechanisms involved in the development of alcoholism.

For more severe cases, you may need to be admitted into a hospital or treatment center to be monitored and ensure your safety. These detoxification programs allow you to stop using substances quickly and safely. During this time, you’re gradually weaned off the substance or substances. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. In order for the alerts to be accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities, alerts will include a unique tone and vibration, FEMA said.

This can make it hard for doctors to effectively ask questions about a person’s drinking habits. Formal diagnosis requires a thorough assessment and evaluation by your doctor. Substance abuse disorder, substance dependence, and substance addiction are disorders. They affect your brain, leading to a lack of control over drugs or medications.

CAGE Questionnaire

A score of 2 or more is considered clinically significant, in which case counseling or further evaluation by a trained substance abuse professional may be the next step to take. The CAGE-AID questionnaire is a variation of the CAGE questionnaire https://sober-house.net/ that was developed to include use of other drugs in addition to alcohol as part of the assessment. The CAGE questionnaire is reported to accurately identify people with alcohol dependence issues 93 percent of the time.

Item 3 is asked first and classifies over half of respondents as either nonhazardous or hazardous drinkers. Only those not classified at the first stage go on to the second stage, which consists of AUDIT items 5, 8, and 10. A response other than “never” to any of these three items classifies the respondent as a hazardous drinker.

Treatment providers are available 24/7 to answer your questions about rehab, whether it’s for you or a loved one. Submit your number and receive a free call today from a treatment provider. Finally, there are special variants of the CAGE method, specifically modified for the assessment of other substance abuse disorders. The procedure has been approved by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The main variant of the CAGE screen test is used to assess alcoholism, but there is a modified version, used for the assessment of other types of substance abuse.

What Is the CAGE Questionnaire?

In addition to the CAGE Assessment, there are warning signs that you may have an alcohol problem. If you are struggling to quit drinking and these warning signs pertain to you, it might be time to seek help. If you or a loved one is concerned about alcohol use, consider reaching out to the experienced providers at The Recovery Village. Our team is here to guide you through the process and find the right type of care for your needs. Reach out to a treatment provider for free today for immediate assistance.

Cancer Pain Management in the Patient with a History of Opiate Abuse

Professional Reference tools are designed for health professionals to use. They are written by UK doctors and based on research evidence, UK and European Guidelines, so you may find the language more technical than the condition leaflets. Scoring a 2 or 3 means there is a high level of concern for alcohol use disorder. The addition of AID stands for “Adapted to Include Drugs.” It’s the same four questions as the CAGE questionnaire, but adds drug use alongside drinking.

The CAGE test should not be considered a conclusive test for the diagnosis of an alcohol problem, and it is not meant for self-assessment. It is designed for use with other evaluative processes employed by treatment specialists. While not a fail-proof test, it’s clear that the CAGE questionnaire is incredibly reliable in checking for signs of alcohol dependence due to the four unobtrusive and straightforward questions. In addition, when people are asked directly if they have a drinking problem, it can make it difficult for doctors to ask effectively practical questions about a patient’s drinking habits. Due to the robust cloud of stigma hovering over those who suffer from alcohol abuse, people can tend to lie or alter their answers as they may feel judged.