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The Clinical Significance of Craving Across the Addictive Behaviors: a Review

  • Food Addiction (A Meule, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is (a) to evaluate if the craving construct has clinical significance in the domain of behavioral addictions, as indicated by its practical expediency, descriptive fidelity, diagnostic efficiency, theoretical integrity, and clinical feasibility and (b) to integrate current research on craving in the domains of addictive and eating disorders.

Recent Findings

Craving is a characteristic feature of established and proposed behavioral addictions, and a central component of prevailing theoretical models. It correlates with symptom severity and may play a role in relapse. Empirical evidence thus supports diagnostic expansion to include craving in the diagnosis of behavioral addictions. Craving is also a powerful trigger of binge eating, and a better understanding of the exact targets and function of craving in weight- and eating-related pathologies may help resolve ongoing debates about their conceptualization as either substance or behavioral addictions.

Summary

Craving remains a source of much controversy, but evidence strongly suggests that a better understanding of the construct has important implications for the prevention and treatment of diverse pathologies.

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  1. Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Social Sciences 399, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY, 12222, USA

    Julia M. Hormes

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  1. Julia M. Hormes
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Correspondence to Julia M. Hormes.

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Dr. Julia Hormes declares that she has no conflicts of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Food Addiction

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Hormes, J.M. The Clinical Significance of Craving Across the Addictive Behaviors: a Review. Curr Addict Rep 4, 132–141 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-017-0138-y

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