September 8, 2008

TWEAK Alcoholism Score
 
Score Interpretation
Under 3 Possible alcohol problem, but specificity too low to be helpful
3-7 Individual has an alcohol problem (sensitivity ~85%/ specificity 86%)
 
Can you hold 6 or more drinks (Tolerance)
Yes (2 point[s])
No (0 point[s])
Are your friends or relatives worried about your drinking?
Yes (2 point[s])
No (0 point[s])
Have you ever had an eye-opener (taken a drink early in the morning to "get going")?
Yes (1 point[s])
No (0 point[s])
Have you had blackouts (amnesia)?
Yes (1 point[s])
No (0 point[s])
Have you ever felt the need to "cut down" on your drinking?
Yes (1 point[s])
No (0 point[s])

 

Among the alcoholism scoring systems, this one appeared to be the best of the screening instruments (in at least one study) for the detection of harmful and dependent drinking.
This may be a more gender-neutral system than the CAGE scoring system.

Cherpital CJ. Screening for alcohol problems in the emergency department. Ann Emerg Med. 1995;26(2):158-66.

D'Onofrio G et al. Patients with alcohol problems in the emergency department, part 1: improving detection. SAEM Substance Abuse Task Force. Soceity for Academic Emergency Medicine, Acad Emerg med. 1998;5(12):1200-9.

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