Tags: Psychology , Psychometrics
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CAGE alcohol screening is a brief set of four yes or no questions that reflect lifetime patterns and possible alcohol related problems. It supports a clear first conversation about risk and about whether to seek further evaluation.

Answers are tallied and the total ranges from 0 to 4, then a label explains how to read the score and what it may suggest. Letters map to common cues in plain language, and eye opener refers to having a drink first thing in the morning.

A typical use is simple and fast. You answer the four items, you see a total and a plain label, and you review highlights and next steps that match your pattern. For example, yes to cut down and yes to guilty gives a total of 2 and suggests follow up.

Results are calculated on your device and no data is sent to a server. This tool provides informational estimates and does not substitute professional advice.

Technical Details:

The assessment counts four binary responses about alcohol use across your lifetime. The index is the CAGE total, an integer from 0 to 4 that summarizes how many items were positive at any time in life.

The computation treats each item as an indicator variable worth one point when answered “Yes” and zero when answered “No”. Items are Cut down, Annoyed by criticism, Guilty, and Eye opener, all weighted equally in the total.

Results are grouped into three bands that guide interpretation. Totals of 0 to 1 indicate low risk, a total of 2 signals possible alcohol use disorder, and totals of 3 to 4 indicate a high likelihood of dependence and a need to consider professional input.

Because the frame is lifetime recall, repeating the screen mainly checks whether patterns or insight have changed. A positive eye opener is highlighted because it can indicate physiological dependence, but interpretation still relies on the overall total.

S = C+A+G+E { C,A,G,E ∈{0,1}}
Symbol Meaning Unit/Datatype Source
S Total CAGE score integer 0–4 Derived
C Cut down indicator ∈ {0,1} Input
A Annoyed by criticism indicator ∈ {0,1} Input
G Guilty indicator ∈ {0,1} Input
E Eye opener indicator ∈ {0,1} Input
Worked example: If C = 1, A = 0, G = 1, E = 0, then
S=1+0+1+0=2
The result S = 2 falls in the “Possible AUD” band and suggests considering professional evaluation.
Threshold band Lower bound Upper bound Interpretation Action cue
Low Risk 0 1 Low likelihood of dependence Maintain low risk habits
Possible AUD 2 2 Possible alcohol use disorder Consider evaluation
Probable AUD 3 4 High likelihood of dependence Seek professional input

Units, precision and rounding:

All quantities are integers. No decimal separator appears and no rounding is applied. The total is the exact sum of four indicator variables.

Validation and bounds:

Field Type Min Max Step/Pattern Error text
Responses radio yes/no 4 items 4 items Values 0 or 1 —
Share code (r) string 4 chars 4 chars ^[01\-]{4}$ Invalid codes are ignored

I/O formats and encoding:

Input Accepted families Output Encoding/precision Rounding
Four yes/no items UI radios Total, label, highlights, answers table Integer 0–4; text label None
Share code URL parameter r State restore Four characters “0”, “1”, or “-” Not applicable
Answer exports Copy or download CSV or DOCX summary Exact item text and responses Not applicable

Networking and storage:

Processing is browser based. State is encoded in the page address via the r code. No server storage or transmission occurs.

Assumptions and limitations:

  • Four binary items only; no partial credit or weighting.
  • Lifetime frame; recent change may not alter the total.
  • Bands are fixed by the defined thresholds.
  • Eye opener is flagged in highlights but not decisive alone.
  • Results require all items to be answered.
  • Share codes outside the allowed pattern are ignored.
  • Exports summarize chosen answers without interpretation beyond bands.
  • Not a diagnosis; use test data when demonstrating or sharing.

Edge cases and error sources:

  • Leaving items unanswered prevents totals and labels.
  • Using characters other than 0, 1, or “-” in the code fails to restore.
  • Editing the code to wrong length prevents state restore.
  • Changing answers after results updates the total and label only when all items remain answered.
  • Clipboard permissions can block Copy; use Download instead.
  • Very narrow screens may clip long item text in the table.
  • Printing can truncate tables; export to DOCX for a paged layout.
  • Browser zoom can misplace the gauge; reset zoom to 100%.
  • Inactive network during first load may prevent the gauge from drawing.
  • Cached but stale page assets can delay chart resizing; refresh the page.

Privacy and compliance:

No data is transmitted or stored server side. Use responsibly and avoid entering someone else’s information without consent.

Step‑by‑Step Guide:

The CAGE screen records four lifetime cues and returns a total with an interpretation.

  1. Start the assessment.
  2. Select Yes or No for each item.
  3. Review the total and the band label.
  4. Scan highlights and next steps for context.
  5. Optionally save your answers as CSV or DOCX.
  6. Share your result by copying the page address.

Example: Yes to Cut down and Guilty, No to the others → total 2 → “Possible AUD.”

You now have a concise summary to support the next conversation.

FAQ:

What do the letters mean?

C is Cut down, A is Annoyed by criticism, G is Guilty, and E is Eye opener.

How is the total calculated?

Each “Yes” counts as one point and each “No” as zero. The total is the sum of the four item values.

Is my data stored?

No. Answers are processed in your browser and the page address can hold a short code if you choose to share it.

Can I use it offline?

Computation runs in your browser. A connection may be needed to load the page assets the first time you open it.

What does “borderline” mean?

A total of 2 is “Possible AUD.” It suggests benefit from a professional evaluation to discuss patterns and goals.

Can I edit or revisit answers?

Yes. You can change any item and the total updates once all items are answered.

How do I share my result?

After finishing, copy the page address. It includes a short code that restores your selections on another device.

Are exports included?

Yes. You can copy a CSV summary or download a DOCX report of your questions and responses.

Results do not constitute a clinical diagnosis.

Troubleshooting:

  • No result shown: ensure all four items are answered.
  • Gauge missing: reload the page after a stable connection.
  • Copy fails: allow clipboard access or use Download.
  • Shared link blank: check the code has four characters.
  • Table clips text: rotate your device or view on a larger screen.
  • Export not available: finish all items first.

Glossary:

CAGE
Four item lifetime alcohol screen.
Eye opener
A morning drink to steady nerves.
AUD
Alcohol use disorder.
Indicator variable
A value that is 0 or 1.
Severity label
Band name based on the total.
Share code (r)
Four character state string in the page address.