Which screening instrument uses four questions to assess alcohol dependence?

The CAGE screening instrument is specifically designed to assess alcohol dependence through a simple and concise format of four questions. Each question addresses different aspects of alcohol use, focusing on key indicators such as the need to cut down on drinking, feeling annoyed or guilty about drinking, and experiencing an eye-opener (drinking in the morning to alleviate hangover effects). This screening tool is advantageous because it is quick to administer and can be effectively used in various clinical settings to identify individuals who may need further assessment or intervention for alcohol-related issues. Its brevity and focus on core indicators of dependence make it a commonly utilized instrument in both primary care and addiction treatment environments.

In contrast, other screening tools like AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), MAST (Michigan Alcohol Screening Test), and ADS (Alcohol Dependence Scale) utilize more extensive questionnaires or different criteria for evaluation, which can make them more suitable for in-depth assessments but less convenient for quick screenings.