CAGE Alcohol Questionnaire
CAGE Alcohol Questionnaire overview
Creator and Context
The CAGE Alcohol Questionnaire is a brief and widely used screening tool for identifying potential alcohol problems. It consists of just four questions, designed to be easy to administer and interpret. The focus of CAGE is on identifying problematic drinking behaviours and patterns that might indicate alcohol abuse or dependence.
Developed by Dr. John A. Ewing, founder of the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the CAGE questionnaire was introduced in the 1970s. Its purpose was to provide a straightforward and effective method for identifying individuals who might benefit from further alcohol dependency evaluation.
Presenting Conditions
The CAGE questionnaire is specifically aimed at detecting signs of alcohol abuse and dependence. It does not measure alcohol consumption levels but rather focuses on the behavioural and emotional impact of alcohol use.
Administration
The CAGE questionnaire can be self-administered or conducted by a healthcare professional. It consists of four simple questions, with a 'yes' or 'no' response required for each. The questionnaire is brief, typically taking less than a minute to complete.
Desired Audience
CAGE is suitable for use in adult populations and can be used in a wide range of settings, including primary care, mental health clinics, and substance abuse treatment centers.
CAGE is primarily used as a screening tool to identify individuals who may need a more comprehensive assessment for alcohol-related problems. It is not diagnostic but serves as an early indicator of potential alcohol issues.
Considerations
The CAGE questionnaire is a screening tool and should not be used as the sole basis for diagnosing alcohol dependency.
It is important to consider cultural and social factors that might influence responses.
A positive score on the CAGE questionnaire should lead to a more thorough assessment.
How to score the CAGE Alcohol Questionnaire
Conducting the assessment
The respondent answers four questions with a simple 'yes' or 'no'. The questions are direct and address the consequences of drinking and the respondent's self-perception of their drinking habits.
Interpretation
The scoring of the CAGE questionnaire is straightforward: one point is given for each 'yes' answer. A total score of two or more is considered clinically significant and suggests the need for further evaluation. This threshold has been validated in numerous studies as an effective indicator of potential alcohol problems.
Clinical Considerations
Use the CAGE as a quick initial screening tool for alcohol problems.
Follow up positive screenings with a more comprehensive assessment.
Be sensitive to the stigma and denial often associated with alcohol problems when discussing CAGE results with patients.
CAGE Alcohol Questionnaire use cases
Initial screening for alcohol problems in general medical settings.
Use in mental health and addiction services as a preliminary assessment tool.
Brief screenings in community health surveys and public health studies.
Category
Drug & Alcohol
Research Summary
Ewing, J. A. (1984). Detecting alcoholism: The CAGE questionnaire. JAMA, 252(14), 1905-1907.
Dhalla, S., & Kopec, J. A. (2007). The CAGE questionnaire for alcohol misuse: A review of reliability and validity studies. Clinical and Investigative Medicine, 30(1), 33-41.
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