Explain the two (2) screening tests that are used in doctors’ offices and clinics as a first indicator that an individual may have an alcohol problem. Explain how these tests are used and how they can determine if someone has a drinking problem.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The first screening is called CAGE; C—Have you ever felt the need to cut down on your drinking? A—Have you ever felt annoyed by someone criticizing your drinking? G—Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking? E—Have you ever felt the need for an eye-opener (drink at the beginning of the day)? If an individual gives two or more positive responses, there is a chance he or she has some type of alcohol problem. The second screening test is TWEAK; T—Tolerance—How many drinks does it take to get high? W—Worried—Have close friends or relatives worried or complained about your drinking? E—Eye-Opener—Do you sometimes have a drink in the morning to wake up? A—Amnesia—Has a friend or family member ever told you things you said or did while you were drinking that you could not remember? (K)—Cut—Do you sometimes feel the need to cut down on your drinking? A positive score of three or more is considered to indicate that the person has a drinking problem.