What does CAGE stand for?

CAGE is an acronym for the four questions: C — Cut down (have you felt you should cut down on drinking?), A — Annoyed (have people annoyed you by criticising your drinking?), G — Guilty (have you felt guilty about drinking?), E — Eye-opener (have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?).

What score is considered positive on the CAGE questionnaire?

A score of 2 or more is considered a positive screen. Research consistently shows that a score ≥2 identifies alcohol use disorder with a sensitivity of roughly 70–85% and specificity of 80–95%, depending on the population studied.

Is the CAGE questionnaire a diagnosis?

No. The CAGE is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. A positive result means further clinical evaluation is recommended. Only a qualified healthcare provider can diagnose alcohol use disorder using established diagnostic criteria such as DSM-5 or ICD-11.

Who developed the CAGE questionnaire?

The CAGE questionnaire was developed by Dr. John Ewing and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1984. It has since become one of the most widely used brief alcohol screening tools in clinical practice.

Is my data stored or sent anywhere?

No. All processing happens in your browser. Your answers and score are never transmitted to any server.

Can the CAGE questionnaire be used for drug use screening?

The standard CAGE was designed specifically for alcohol. A modified version called CAGE-AID (Adapted to Include Drugs) extends it to include other substances by substituting "drinking" with "drinking or drug use."

CAGE Questionnaire

Name: CAGE Questionnaire
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Answer 4 yes/no questions to screen for alcohol use disorder. A score of 2 or more is clinically significant.

CAGE Screening Questions

Answer Yes or No for each question based on your experience over the past year.

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 (eye-opener) to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

Medical disclaimer: The CAGE questionnaire is a validated screening tool for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. A positive screen does not confirm alcohol use disorder. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for a full clinical assessment and guidance.

Your Score

Score — / 4

0 1 2 3 4

Answer the questions on the left to see your result.

Summary

Answer 4 yes/no questions to screen for alcohol use disorder. A score of 2 or more is clinically significant.

How it works

Read each of the four CAGE questions carefully.
Select Yes or No for each question based on your personal experience.
Your score is totalled automatically as you answer — one point per Yes answer.
A score of 0–1 is considered a negative screen for alcohol use disorder.
A score of 2–4 is a positive screen and indicates clinically significant alcohol use.
Share the result with a healthcare provider for formal evaluation if the screen is positive.

Use cases

Initial clinical screening for alcohol use disorder in a primary care setting.
Self-assessment to gauge whether drinking habits may be a concern.
Pre-consultation triage to help clinicians prioritise alcohol-related follow-up.
Patient education — understanding the criteria used to evaluate drinking patterns.
Research and epidemiological studies requiring a brief, validated alcohol screen.
Occupational health assessments where alcohol use may be a safety factor.
Addiction counselling intake to establish a baseline before detailed evaluation.
Health awareness campaigns raising literacy about alcohol use disorder signs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-07-22 · Reviewed by Nham Vu