Categories: Assessment , Health & Fitness , Psychology
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The CAGE screen is a concise, evidence-based questionnaire that helps flag possible alcohol-use problems by counting affirmative answers to four lifetime questions. Developed for clinical settings yet equally suitable for self-use, it focuses on sensations of cutting down, annoyance, guilt, and eye-opening drinking to quickly estimate potential long-term dependence risk.

This tool presents the original four items, records your Yes/No choices, and sums positive responses in real time. A colour-coded gauge produced by a local charting layer shows totals from zero to four, while an adaptive badge labels Low Risk, Possible Alcohol-Use Disorder, or Probable Alcohol-Use Disorder according to established clinical thresholds.

Use it to prepare for a doctor’s appointment, workplace wellness check, or personal reflection; scores stay on your device only. Honest answers improve accuracy and relevance. If two or more items are positive, consider seeking formal evaluation. This assessment offers information, not a diagnosis; consult a qualified health-care professional for concerns.

Technical Details:

The CAGE concept measures lifetime alcohol-use risk by assigning one point for each affirmative response to four diagnostic questions. The summed score correlates with likelihood of alcohol dependence and guides whether further assessment is indicated.

Core Equation:

Score= ∑ i=1 4 (responsei)

where responsei equals 1 for “Yes” and 0 for “No”.

Interpretation Bands:

  • 0 – 1 : Low Risk – dependence unlikely.
  • 2 : Possible Alcohol-Use Disorder – professional evaluation advisable.
  • 3 – 4 : Probable Alcohol-Use Disorder – high likelihood, prompt clinical attention recommended.

Variables & Parameters:

  • answer1–4 – Yes/No choice for each question.
  • totalScore – integer 0–4 returned by the equation.
  • severityLabel – textual band derived from totalScore.
  • progressPercent – completion metric; does not affect score.

Worked Example: Three “Yes” answers and one “No” yield Score = 3, classed as “Probable Alcohol-Use Disorder”; gauge needle sits at 75 % of the scale.

Assumptions & Limitations:

  • Questions reference lifetime behaviour, not current consumption.
  • Binary scoring omits intensity of each symptom.
  • Tool assumes honest self-reporting. Bias risk
  • Thresholds validated primarily in adult populations.

Edge Cases & Error Sources:

  • All answers omitted – score cannot be computed.
  • Partial completion – interim score may mislead.
  • Misinterpretation of “eye-opener” term.
  • Language barriers affecting nuance of “guilt” or “annoyance”.

Scientific Validity: The CAGE was introduced by Ewing (1984) and validated against DSM-III criteria in multiple peer-reviewed studies across primary-care and inpatient samples.

Privacy & Compliance: Calculations run entirely client-side; no personal data leaves your device, satisfying GDPR principles of data minimisation.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Follow this sequence to generate a reliable personal snapshot:

  1. Read the introduction then choose Begin Assessment.
  2. Select Yes or No for each question.
  3. Navigate the right-hand list to revisit or amend any item.
  4. When all four are answered, review the coloured badge and gauge summary.
  5. Save or print the answer table; consult a professional if your score reaches two or more.

FAQ:

What does my total score indicate?

A score of 0–1 suggests low risk, 2 signals possible disorder, and 3–4 indicates probable disorder requiring prompt evaluation.

Is my data stored?

No, responses stay in your browser session; closing the page erases them automatically.

Can I change an answer?

Yes, click any question in the list to reopen and update it before reviewing results.

Does this replace medical advice?

No, the screen supports awareness but cannot diagnose or substitute professional assessment.

Why only four questions?

The CAGE was designed for speed; research shows its four items capture key dependence indicators effectively.

Glossary:

CAGE
Acronym of Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener alcohol screen.
Eye-opener
First drink in the morning intended to steady nerves or relieve hangover.
Alcohol-Use Disorder
Clinical diagnosis characterised by impaired control and harmful consequences.
Binary Scoring
Method assigning one point for “Yes” and zero for “No”.
Gauge
Semi-circular charting layer component that visualises the score.