CAGE questionnaire for alcohol use

The CAGE questionnaire is used to screen for alcohol abuse. CAGE is an acronym and stands for Cut down drinking, Annoyed by criticism, Guilty feelings and Eye-opener.

Cut down drinking
Have you ever felt you needed to cut down on your drinking?

Yes No

Annoyed by criticism
Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?

Yes No

Guilty feelings
Have you ever felt guilty about drinking?

Yes No

Eye-opener
Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

Yes No

CAGE

Interpretation

Points
0-1	Alcohol abuse unlikely
2-4	Alcohol abuse or dependence likely

References

Ewing JA. Detecting alcoholism. The CAGE questionnaire. JAMA 1984; 252: 1905-1907