The CAGE Questionnaire: Validation of a New Alcoholism Screening Instrument

The CAGE questionnaire, a new brief alcoholism screening test, was administered to all patients (N = 366; 39 percent alcoholic) admitted to a psychiatric service over a one-year period. The authors indicate that the CAGE questionnaire is not a sensitive alcoholism detector if a four-item positive response is the criterion; however, if a two- or three-item criterion is used, it becomes a viable rapid alcoholism screening techniquefor large groups.