The CAGE questionnaire is a 4-question rapid screening tool for alcohol dependence. It is one of the most widely used brief alcohol screens in primary care. CAGE stands for Cut, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener — the key themes of each question. Answer honestly; your responses are completely private and never stored.
CAGE Questions
How to Interpret CAGE Results
The CAGE questionnaire takes under a minute to complete. Each "Yes" answer scores 1 point, giving a total range of 0-4.
Score Interpretation
0 — No concern: No positive answers. Alcohol dependence is unlikely based on this screen. 1 — Watch closely: One positive answer, particularly the Eye-opener, warrants ongoing attention. 2+ — Clinically significant: Two or more positive answers have high specificity for alcohol dependence. Clinical evaluation is recommended. 3-4 — High likelihood: Strong indicator that a full clinical assessment is needed promptly.
Limitations
The CAGE focuses on dependence rather than hazardous drinking. It may miss people in the earlier stages of problematic use. For a more comprehensive screen, consider the full 10-question AUDIT tool alongside or instead of CAGE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this CAGE questionnaire free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. All responses stay in your browser.
Is my data private?
Yes, all responses are processed entirely in your browser. Nothing is stored or transmitted.
What does CAGE stand for?
CAGE is an acronym for the four questions: Cut down (Have you felt you should cut down?), Annoyed (Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?), Guilty (Have you felt guilty about your drinking?), Eye-opener (Have you ever had a morning drink to steady your nerves?).
What CAGE score indicates a problem?
A score of 2 or more positive answers is considered clinically significant and warrants further evaluation. A score of 1 may also warrant attention, especially if it reflects the eye-opener question. The CAGE is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument.
How accurate is the CAGE questionnaire?
At a cutoff of 2, the CAGE has sensitivity of approximately 74-80% and specificity of approximately 84-91% for detecting alcohol abuse or dependence. It is less sensitive for hazardous drinking that has not yet developed into dependence, which is why longer tools like the AUDIT are also used.
Is CAGE suitable for all populations?
The CAGE is best validated for adult populations in clinical settings. It may underperform in populations where social acceptability of alcohol use varies. Some populations may minimize positive answers due to stigma. The AUDIT is considered more comprehensive for detecting a wider range of alcohol use patterns.