What does the acronym "CAGE" represent in addiction screening?

The acronym "CAGE" specifically refers to a widely used screening tool designed to identify potential problems related to alcohol use. Each letter in "CAGE" corresponds to a question aimed at uncovering issues of drinking behavior and its impact on an individual’s life. The questions probe aspects such as the need to Cut down on drinking, feelings of Annoyance by criticism of drinking, feelings of Guilt about drinking, and the use of alcohol as an Eye-opener, particularly in the morning.

This focus on alcohol use makes it distinct from other screening tools that might assess mental health or overall health, or methods used to grade the severity of addiction. The CAGE tool, due to its brevity and effectiveness, is commonly used in clinical settings to facilitate discussions about alcohol consumption and to gauge the necessity for further diagnostic evaluation or intervention.