Addiction Screening Calculator

About the Addiction Screening Calculator

The Addiction Screening Calculator implements two validated clinical questionnaires — the CAGE Questionnaire for alcohol use and the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10) for drug use — providing scored results with severity classification and recommended clinical actions.

The CAGE questionnaire (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) is one of the most widely used brief screening instruments for problematic alcohol use. Consisting of just four yes/no questions, it has a sensitivity of approximately 93% and specificity of 76% for detecting alcohol use disorders when a cutoff score of 2 or more is used. Its simplicity makes it ideal for primary care, emergency department, and preoperative settings.

The DAST-10 is a 10-item self-report instrument that screens for drug use problems (excluding alcohol and tobacco). It quantifies the degree of drug-related problems across multiple life domains. Scores range from 0-10, with higher scores indicating greater severity and more intensive treatment recommendations. Both tools are integral components of the SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment) model endorsed by SAMHSA.

When This Page Helps

Brief screening works best when the questions are scored consistently and the result is tied to a next step. This calculator makes that workflow explicit for CAGE and DAST-10 so a positive screen is easier to interpret, document, and route toward a fuller assessment.

How to Use the Inputs

1. Select the screening tool: CAGE for alcohol or DAST-10 for drugs.
2. Select the primary substance of concern.
3. Enter age and sex for demographic context.
4. Answer each questionnaire item honestly (check = yes).
5. Review the total score and severity classification.
6. Follow the recommended action steps based on the score.

Example Calculation

Tips & Best Practices

• The CAGE has lower sensitivity in populations that minimize alcohol use (elderly, women, minorities).
• For women, the TWEAK questionnaire may be more appropriate (especially during pregnancy).
• The AUDIT or AUDIT-C provides more nuanced alcohol screening than CAGE.
• Ask CAGE questions in conversational format rather than as a formal test for better disclosure.
• DAST-10 scores should be interpreted in context — workplace vs. clinical settings differ.
• Always approach addiction screening with empathy and without judgment.

CAGE vs. AUDIT: When to Use Which

The CAGE questionnaire screens for lifetime alcohol problems and dependence, making it ideal for detecting chronic patterns. The AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) screens for hazardous drinking over the past year and is better for detecting risky drinking before dependence develops. Use CAGE for quick screening in time-limited encounters; use AUDIT when a more detailed assessment is feasible.

Understanding Addiction as a Medical Condition

Substance use disorders are chronic, relapsing brain disorders with well-characterized neurobiological mechanisms involving reward circuitry, stress systems, and executive function. They are not moral failings. Treatment works — evidence-based approaches including medications (naltrexone, buprenorphine, acamprosate) combined with behavioral therapies achieve outcomes comparable to other chronic diseases.

Brief Interventions After Screening

When screening reveals moderate-risk substance use, a brief intervention (5-15 minutes) using motivational interviewing techniques can reduce consumption by 15-30%. The FRAMES framework — Feedback, Responsibility, Advice, Menu of options, Empathy, Self-efficacy — provides a structured approach to these conversations.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does CAGE stand for?

  Cut down (felt the need to reduce drinking), Annoyed (by criticism of drinking), Guilty (about drinking), Eye-opener (morning drink to steady nerves). Each letter represents one screening question.

• What score on CAGE indicates a problem?

  A score of 2 or more (out of 4) is considered clinically significant and warrants further evaluation. Even a score of 1 should prompt discussion about alcohol use patterns.

• What is the DAST-10?

  The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10) is a 10-question tool that screens for the degree of drug-related problems in the past 12 months. It covers prescription drug misuse and illicit drug use but not alcohol or tobacco.

• Is self-screening accurate?

  These tools are validated for self-administration but may underestimate severity due to denial or minimization. Clinical administration with follow-up questions improves accuracy.

• What is SBIRT?

  SBIRT stands for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment. It is an evidence-based approach using tools like CAGE and DAST to identify and address substance use in healthcare settings.

• Can these tools diagnose addiction?

  No. These are screening instruments that identify individuals who may have a substance use disorder. A positive screen should lead to comprehensive clinical assessment for formal diagnosis using DSM-5 criteria.