The CAGE assessment instrument is a short 4 question assessment tool. If
my memory serves me right this instrument was developed specifically for
use be medical personnel so that they could integrate the four questions
into an intial patient contact. I am no longer doing counseling but
someone out there may have more details on the origin and effectiveness of
this tool as a screening device. You might want to contact ASAM, I think
it's the American Society for Addiction Medicine.
For your information CAGE is an acronym for Concerned, Annoyed, Guilty, and
Eye-Opener. The questions are something like: Have you ever been Concerned
about your drinking?; Have you ever felt Annoyed by people discussing your
drinking?; Have you ever felt Guilty about your drinking?; and Have you
ever (had or felt the need...not sure of the exact wording) for an
Eye-opener drink to get started? I seem to remember that just one
affirmative answer was suggestive of the need to do some more exploring.
Also from my counseling days I remember it was important for anyone
inquiring about use to ask, "how much and how often do you drink instead of
do you drink". Hope this is helpful. Let us know what else you find out.
Lenny
At 02:35 PM 2/2/2000 -0600, you wrote:
>I have been asked to give a presentation to our medical staff on alcohol
>abuse among college students. In particular, they stated that they would
>like to start doing some type of short screening during their visits to
>possibly catch students who may be experiencing problems with alcohol use,
>so they can make the proper referral. So I was wondering if there are some
>stats. out there on the success of university medical staff being able to
>screen out some potential problem users, and if there are any screening
>instruments/tools that are being used for this type of thing, with medical
>professionals. I figure this may be a golden opportunity since they asked
>me to come and assist them, so any information or advise would be
>appreciated.
>
>Thanks, Courtney
>Courtney Cording,LPC,LCDC
>
>Health Education Coordinator
>University of Texas at Austin
>Universtiy Health Services
>Box 7339, University Station
>Austin, Texas 78731
>
>Voice Mail: 512-475-8456
>EMAIL: c.cording@mail.uhs.utexas.edu
>
Lenny Shible, M.Ed., L.P.C.
Health Promotions Specialist
Northern Michigan University
405 Cohodas
1401 Presque Isle Avenue
Marquette, MI 49855
906.227.1455
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