To see if a person is addicted to an activity or substance try performing the CAGE test. The test is often used to judge whether someone is an alcoholic, but can be just as easily applied to addictions to email, instant messaging, the web, coffee, etc.

1. Have you ever felt you should Cut down on the activity?
2. Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your doing the activity?
3. Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about doing the activity?
4. Have you ever done the activity first thing in the morning as an Eye opener to get yourself started on the day?

The test was developed by Dr. John Ewing, founding Director of the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. According to Dr. Ewing, two yes answers is considered a clinically significant sign of addiction.