CAGE Test, etc: Which Alcoholism Test is For You?

By Kayla Lobil | Last Edited: November 02, 2020 | 4 Sources

Alcoholism Tests
Test for Alcoholism

There are a lot of tests for alcoholism out there, such as the CAGE Test, MAST, etcetera

There are a lot of tests for alcoholism out there, such as the CAGE Test, MAST, etcetera. The reason there are so many tests for alcoholism is that diagnosing alcoholism is not an exact science.

You can't just do a blood test or a biopsy and say yes you are an alcoholic or no you are not an alcoholic (although such tests - particularly on your liver - might give a medical professional a good idea.)

So the very 'slipperiness' of alcoholism has led to a multitude tests being devised.

I have gathered the most used and respected of these tests. You can find them below.

If you see one of interest then click on the heading and, on the following page you will be able to complete the questionnaire.

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Free Expert Advice

877-322-2694

All of the tests on this page are used by hospitals, doctors and treatment centers throughout the U.S. and the U.K. Their results need to be taken seriously and, if you are worried about your result then take a look at my pages on stop drinking with AA, stop drinking with AA alternatives and alcohol addiction recovery for more advice and information.

The Problem of Alcoholism

Alcoholism is deemed to be a major health and social problem. The Dietary Guidelines in the United States defines moderate alcohol consumption as up to two drinks per day for men and up to one drink per day for women . When problem drinking turns severe, it is diagnosed as AUD or “alcohol use disorder.” It is a prolonged degenerating brain disorder characterized by a reduced ability to control or stop alcohol abuse in spite of negative occupational, health, or occupational consequences. Alcohol abuse, which includes heavy alcohol consumption and binge drinking, adds to your risk of dangerous consequences, including alcohol use disorder or AUD.

Nonetheless, NEVER, NEVER attempt to stop drinking without medical supervision. Alcohol withdrawal can be fatal!

Who is an Alcoholic?

There is no such thing as a stereotypical alcoholic.

Absolutely anyone can become drink dependent. I did. There is no history of drink addiction in my family, my family is not dysfunctional, my parents are not divorced and so on.

What makes me an alcoholic is what I do NOT where or what I come from. To find out more read who is an alcoholic.

The CAGE Questionnaire

Perhaps the most commonly used alcoholism test.

Why? Because it only contains 4 questions and so is very quick to complete.

Used by many addiction professionals to make a quick assessment of an individual.

More comprehensive and accurate questionnaires can be used at a later date to confirm or refute the initial diagnosis.

Would you like to complete the CAGE questionnaire now?

The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST)

The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test(MAST)is a very simple, self-scoring test that helps assess if you have a drinking problem.

It consists of 22 questions.

It goes into more detail than the CAGE test above.

It is one of the oldest alcoholism tests having been developed in 1971.

The major drawback to the MAST test is that it focuses on problems over the patient's lifetime, rather than on current problems. So this can mean that people in the early stages of alcoholism slip through the net.

Complete the MAST alcoholism test now.

The Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (SMAST)

The Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (or SMAST for short) is the little brother of the MAST above.

The difference between the two is that the SMAST only contains 13 questions.

It is used when there is not enough time to use the MAST. This, however, does not seem to overly affect its accuracy in diagnosing alcohol abuse or alcoholism.

Take the The Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (SMAST) now.

The Michigan Alcohol Screening Test-Geriatric Version (MAST-G)

The MAST-G is designed with elderly or geriatric people in mind. This tests questions highlight the special employment and social situations of someone who is retired and how that can relate to alcohol abuse.

Take the The Michigan Alcohol Screening Test - Geriatric Version (MAST-G) now.

Alcoholism And Teenagers Diagnostic Test

Due to the increasing prevalence of alcohol abuse among adolescents and the corresponding rise in teens seeking help for alcohol dependency, the NIAAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) created a self-diagnostic test that gives an indication of the state of a teens drinking problem.

To complete it go to Alcoholism And Teenagers Diagnostic Test.

Johns Hopkins Test for Alcoholism

The Drinking Scale Test created by Johns Hopkins University is a simple Yes or No type questionnaire with 20 short questions.

The advantage of this test is that your answers will not only tell you whether you are abusing alcohol, but also at what stage of alcoholism you are at.

Complete the Johns Hopkins test for alcoholism now.

Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test

With a 93% accuracy rate the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (or AUDIT for short) is said to be the most accurate of the alcoholism tests.

On top of this it is also particularly effective at identifying the first signs of alcoholism.

Complete this alcoholism questionnaire now.

Lead Writer/Reviewer : Kayla Loibl

Licensed Medical Health Professional

Hello!

I am a Mental Health Counselor who is licensed in both New York (LMHC) and North Carolina (LCMHC). I have been working in the Mental Health field since 2015. I have worked in a residential setting, an outpatient program and an inpatient addictions program. I began working in Long Island, NY and then in Guelph, Ontario after moving to Canada. Read More

Sources:

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcohol Use Disorder. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-use-disorder

Rethinking Drinking. What are the Different Drinking Levels? https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/how-much-is-too-much/is-your-drinking-pattern-risky/Drinking-Levels.aspx

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alcohol Use and Your Health. October 1, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm

National Center for Biotechnology Information. Living with an Alcoholic Partner: Problems Faced and Coping Strategies Used by Wives of Alcoholic Clients. January - June 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5248422/

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