Early Signs of Alcohol Abuse Using the CAGE Questionnaire

If you suspect a family member may be abusing alcohol, here are some questions to ask them:

• Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?

• Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?

• Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?

• Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

One yes answer suggests an alcohol problem. More than one yes means it's highly likely that a problem exists.