What Is Craving? - National Institutes of Health

What Is Craving? Models and Implications for TreatmentRaymond F. Anton, many alcoholics experience craving, researchers have not yet developed acommon, valid definition of the phenomenon. Numerous models of the mechanismsunderlying craving have been suggested, however. One of those models the neuroadaptivemodel suggests that the prolonged presence of alcohol induces changes in brain-cellfunction. In the absence of alcohol, those changes cause an imbalance in brain activity thatresults in craving. Furthermore, the adaptive changes generate memories of alcohol spleasant effects that can be activated when alcohol-related environmental stimuli areencountered, even after prolonged abstinence, thereby leading to relapse. Similarly, stressfulsituations may trigger memories of the relief afforded by alcohol, which could also lead torelapse.

lying causes because craving is primarily a subjective experience for each drinker. Without a valid, uniform definition of craving, however, clinicians cannot accurately assess their clients’ levels of craving or measure changes in craving that might indicate an improvement or worsening in the client’s condition.

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