The purpose of screening is early diagnosis and treatment. Screening tests are usually administered to people without current symptoms, but who may be at high risk for certain diseases or conditions

Screening Guidelines

Screening tests for alcohol abuse and alcoholism are the mainstay of diagnosis. They usually involve simple questionnaires, either verbally administered by a doctor or given in written form. Several of the most commonly tests include:

  • CAGE Assessment

the CAGE, the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), Self-Administered Alcoholism Screening Test (SAAST), The Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and the T-ACE Test.

Some healthcare providers believe strongly in the significance of using a single question for screening: "When was the last time you had more than five drinks (for men) or four drinks (for women) in one day?" About 50% of all individuals who have a problem with drinking alcohol will answer "within three months" to this question.