Need for an Alcohol Rehab Program: CAGE Questionnaire

Alcohol addiction rehab may not have occurred to those who have not been able to identify that “THERE IS A PROBLEM”. Alcoholism is defined as "a primary, chronic disease characterized by impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking," which however has several identifying factors which reveal to a person that they need help. It is a loss of control of alcohol use that makes one a candidate for alcohol abuse rehab and this lack of control is often identified by answering the questions of the CAGE Questionnaire:

1. Have you ever felt you needed to Cut down on your drinking?

2. Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?

3. Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking?

4. Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (Eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

The first question goes to the question of how much one is drinking; trying to identify if the individual himself or herself thinks they are drinking more than is good for them.

The second question goes to one’s attitudes towards drinking and feelings of defensiveness that come from alcohol abuse. Often people will criticize an individual for drinking; and generally speaking legitimate criticism is usually leveled at excessive drinking or drinking and misbehaving. Moderate drinking will not usually invite criticism that can be termed as legitimate. So when a person faces criticism and realizes that it is legitimate and not misplaced, in their heart of hearts they know that a problem exists.

Also if a person is unable to take that criticism in their stride, that is to say they are irked or irritated by that criticism that would have to be a defensive reaction to an underlying perception that there is, or could be a problem.

The third question, “Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking?” helps identify the first negative feelings that alcohol abuse generates. When an individual has been drinking alone, when they have found the need to hide the fact that they drink or more precisely how much they drink, they will very likely feel guilty; and it is this guilt that helps identify that the person may need an Alcohol Rehab Program.

The last question goes to the physical reliance that a person’s body forms upon alcohol consumption. If a drink is what one requires first thing in the morning, then that makes is clear how much of alcohol the person consumes and that it is more than is good for them. If alcohol is needed to steady nerves, then it becomes clear that there is an actual and physical dependence on the alcohol. If one answers in the affirmative to this one, this is the EYE OPENER.

If the answer to two or more questions of the CAGE Questionnaire is Yes, then it becomes clear that this is a situation that needs further investigation.

Author: Sarika Kabra