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The CAGE Test For Collectors

The CAGE Test For Collectors

Today on The Collector’s Compass, we sat down with Dr. Aakar “Rick” Shah, D.O.—a physician, lifelong collector, and someone who truly understands the addictive pull of the hobby. In our conversation, he introduced us to a powerful medical tool that translates surprisingly well into collecting: the CAGE questionnaire.

Originally designed as a quick screening tool for alcohol use disorder, CAGE is just four simple questions—but when you apply them to the hobby, they can hit hard:

  • Cut Down – Have you ever felt you should cut down on your collecting? Maybe not the cards themselves, but the late-night breaks, endless scrolling, or pushing past your budget.
  • Annoyed – Have people annoyed you by criticizing your collecting? Sometimes what we hear as judgment is really someone noticing a pattern we’re trying to ignore.
  • Guilty – Have you ever felt guilty about how much time or money you’ve devoted to the hobby? That hollow feeling after a binge session is a sign we’ve crossed from joy into compulsion.
  • Eye-Opener – Have you ever felt the need to buy something first thing in the morning just to get that spark again? That’s not passion—that’s dependency.
On Episode #7 of The Collector’s Compass, Dr. Shah breaks down how the CAGE questionnaire—a simple 4-question medical tool—can be applied directly to collecting and spending behaviors. Sometimes the hardest part is asking ourselves the right questions.

As Dr. Shah reminded us, this isn’t about diagnosis. It’s not a test you pass or fail. It’s a mirror. A simple way to pause and reflect: Am I still in control, or is the hobby controlling me?

At Collectors MD, we believe tools like this—paired with community and accountability—are how we build a healthier, more sustainable relationship with the hobby we love.

#CollectorsMD
Sometimes the hardest questions are the most important ones to ask.

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