CAGE Alcohol Screening Questionnaire

The CAGE Alcohol Screening Questionnaire implements the widely recognized four-question screening tool for identifying potential alcohol problems. The acronym CAGE stands for Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, and Eye-opener -- four clinically validated questions that assess whether a patient has felt the need to cut down on drinking, been annoyed by criticism of their drinking, felt guilty about drinking, or used alcohol as a morning eye-opener. A score of two or more positive responses is considered clinically significant and warrants further evaluation.

This digital version preserves the brevity and simplicity that make the CAGE questionnaire one of the most frequently used alcohol screening instruments worldwide. The form captures patient demographics, administers the four core CAGE questions using clear yes/no response options, calculates the total score, and provides clinical interpretation guidance. Supplementary questions gather context on current drinking patterns, frequency, and any prior treatment history to give providers a more complete clinical picture.

The CAGE questionnaire is particularly effective in primary care annual physicals, pre-surgical assessments, emergency department triage, and behavioral health intake. While briefer than the full AUDIT, the CAGE has demonstrated high sensitivity for detecting alcohol dependence and is recommended by NIAAA and numerous medical specialty societies. This template supports SBIRT workflows and can be paired with more comprehensive tools when positive results require deeper evaluation.