CAGE Questionnaire
Also written as: CAGE — Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener
A four-question screening tool for alcohol use disorders using the acronym Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener.
Full Definition
The CAGE questionnaire is a widely used brief screening instrument for identifying potential alcohol problems. It consists of four yes/no questions: Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking? Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking? Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover (Eye-opener)? Two or more positive responses suggest clinically significant alcohol problems.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize CAGE when referring to the specific questionnaire; avoid confusion with other substance abuse screening tools.
In Context
- "The intake assessment included administration of the CAGE questionnaire to screen for alcohol use disorders." — Clinical documentation
- "CAGE scores of 3 or higher warrant further evaluation for substance use treatment referral." — Treatment protocol