Four simple questions to help pinpoint alcohol abuse
The arrival of the spring and summer seasons typically brings thoughts of sitting by a pool or lake with a cold drink in hand. For many people, however, the use of alcohol extends beyond recreation, and it negatively impacts their daily lives, relationships and careers. You may not even be aware you have a problem, but a very simple tool can help determine if you should seek help for substance abuse.
What is the CAGE Assessment?
The CAGE Assessment, or questionnaire, is a four-question test that helps indicate if an individual may have a dependency on alcohol. The assessment was initially developed by John Ewing, MD, in 1984 and is still widely used to this day, while it is a valuable tool in assessing alcohol dependency, it does have limitations, and the results of the test should not be considered a final diagnosis.
Questions on the CAGE Assessment
The CAGE Assessment is composed of four questions, and each letter in the word “CAGE” stands for elements of each of the questions. It is important to remember to apply these questions to your entire life, not just your current situation and alcohol use.
- Cut Down – Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
- Annoyed – Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
- Guilty – Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
- Eye-opener – Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?
Scoring the CAGE Assessment
To score the assessment, each question answered with a “no” receives a score of zero, and each question answered with a “yes” receives a score of one. A total score of two or three indicates there is a high level of concern for potential alcohol abuse, and a score of four indicates the strong likelihood of alcohol use disorder.
Seeking help with Northeastern Center
If you’re concerned about your alcohol use, consider taking the CAGE assessment. It’s important to note that answering “yes” to any of the assessment questions could indicate the possibility of an alcohol use disorder. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol, you should reach out to a professional for help in officially diagnosing and treating the issue.
For more information on Northeastern Center can support your recovery, check out the Substance Use Disorder section of our website or click on How to Become a Client.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, please contact our Emergency Solutions team 24/7 at 1-800-790-0118 for immediate assistance.
This article, and the results of CAGE assessment, do not serve as a diagnosis for alcohol abuse disorder, nor do they replace any other diagnosis received in the past from another mental health professional.
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