MORE ELABORATE SCREENING

A questionnaire can be more thorough and still time efficient. A suggestion is to use one set of questions about consumption e.g.:

Do you drink alcohol? Y N
If Yes: What is your average number of drinks per day? ___
Do you feel you are drinking too much? Y N

And another set for problems. For this the CAGE is often used. (CAGE is also a useful mnemonic):

C Have you felt you should cut down on your drinking?
A Have people annoyed you by criticism of your drinking?
G Have you felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
E Have you had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover? (eye opener)

Hazardous or harmful consumption levels or a single CAGE item should prompt you to follow up with some questions and do a brief intervention if indicated.