Cessation of Substance Dependent Behaviors

CAGE Questionnaire

The CAGE is a very brief, relatively nonconfrontational questionnaire for detection of alcoholism, usually directed "have you ever" but may be focused to delineate past or present.

• Have you ever felt the need to Cut down on your using/doing?

• Have you ever felt Annoyed by remarks about your using/doing?

• Have you ever felt Guilty or remorseful about your using/doing?

• Do you use/do the first chance you get as an "Eye opener" to get going or calm down?

Target Population

- Adults
- Adolescents (over 16 years)
- Usually used in a general medical population being examined in a primary care setting.

Administrative Issues

- Pencil and paper or computer self-administered or interview
- Time required: less than 1 minute
- Administered by professional or technician. No training required for administration; it is easy to learn, easy to remember, and easy to replicate.

- Time required: instantaneous
- Scored by tester.
- No computerized scoring or interpretation available
- Norms are available

Psychometrics

- Reliability studies done: Internal consistency
- Measures of validity derived: Criterion (predictive, concurrent, "postdictive")

Clinical Utility of Instrument

Very useful bedside, clinical desk instrument. Has become the favorite of family practice and general internists-also very popular in nursing.