CAGE and CAGE AID Addiction Screen Calculator

CAGE and CAGE AID addiction screen explanation and clinical context The CAGE questionnaire is a brief screening tool composed of four questions that query perceived need to cut down use feeling annoyed by criticism feeling guilty and the need for an eye opener. The instrument is simple to administer and can be used at point of care to identify individuals who may have problematic alcohol use. CAGE AID adapts the same four items to include other drugs in addition to alcohol.

A score of two or more positive responses constitutes a positive screen and indicates the need for further assessment for alcohol use disorder or for alcohol and other drug use disorder depending on the chosen screen. Screening results do not provide a diagnosis and must be followed by a more detailed evaluation of substance use history comorbid psychiatric conditions medical complications and readiness to change. Consider using structured diagnostic interviews biological testing when appropriate and referral to addiction medicine mental health services or social support services when indicated.

Reference Ewing JA Detecting alcoholism The CAGE questionnaire JAMA 1984 Brown RL Rounds LA Conjoint screening questions for alcohol and other drug abuse reliability and validity of the CAGE AID American Journal of Psychiatry 1995