J. A. Ewing devised an exceptionally simple questionnaire in the 1980’s to test for alcohol addiction. The results of this simple, easy test are profoundly accurate. It consists of four straightforward questions one may ask if they are questioning an alcohol addiction:
- Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking?
- Have you ever been Annoyed when people have commented on your drinking?
- Have you ever felt Guilty or badly about your drinking?
- Have you ever had an Eye opener first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?
That’s it! Scoring is fairly simple as well:
Score one point for each yes answer
- If you scored 1, there is an 80% chance you’re addicted to alcohol.
- If you scored 2, there is an 89% chance you’re addicted to alcohol.
- If you scored 3, there is a 99% chance you’re addicted to alcohol.
- If you scored 4, there is a 100% chance you’re addicted to alcohol.
Interestingly, the C.A.G.E. test developed by Ewing can be applied to other addictions as well.
Below is an adaption for any drug addiction:
- Have you ever felt you should Cut down your use of drugs?
- Have you ever been Annoyed when people have commented on your use?
- Have you ever felt Guilty or badly about your use?
- Have you ever used drugs to Ease withdrawal symptoms, or to avoid feeling low after using?
And further, here is an adaption even for an addiction of Internet use:
- Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your use of the Internet?
- Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your use of the Internet?
- Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about being on the Internet?
- Have you ever been on the Internet first thing in the morning as an Eye opener to get yourself started on the day?
The C.A.G.E. test has proven to be an effective tool in determining addictions of every sort.
J.A. Ewing, Detecting Alcoholism, “The Cage Questionnaire”, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), 252:1905-07. 1984.