Which screening tool is often used in primary care to assess problem drinking?

The CAGE Questionnaire is a widely used screening tool in primary care settings to assess problem drinking. It consists of four simple questions that help identify potential alcohol use disorders based on behavioral patterns and consequences associated with drinking. The acronym CAGE stands for Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, and Eye-opener, which directly relate to common signs of problematic drinking.

This tool is favored in primary care due to its brevity and ease of administration, allowing healthcare providers to quickly screen patients during a routine visit. It can help initiate conversations about alcohol use, making it an effective tool for identifying individuals who may benefit from further evaluation or intervention regarding their drinking habits.

Other screening tools, while also valuable, may not be as commonly used in initial primary care assessments. For instance, the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) is comprehensive and effective but has more questions, requiring a longer response time. The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) and other similar tools have their own strengths but are less frequently employed in standard primary care scenarios compared to the CAGE Questionnaire, which is succinct and straightforward for frontline healthcare providers.