A Treatment Model for Craving Identification and Management

This article presents an addiction treatment model based on craving identification and management (CIM). Craving is broadly defined as the desire to use alcohol or other drugs; it increases the likelihood of use of these substances. In the CIM Model treatment interventions are referenced to craving, i.e., helping clients to identify their craving level and equipping them with strategies to avoid use. Four causes of craving are identified: (1) environmental cues (triggers): exposure to people, places, and things associated with prior drug-using experiences may cause immediate and overwhelming craving; (2) stress: addicted persons experience stress as craving; (3) mental illness; and (4) drug withdrawal: symptoms of both mental illness and withdrawal lead to craving if clients associate use with relief of these symptoms. The CIM Model incorporates four service delivery elements: Relapse Prevention Workshop, individual counseling, medical/psychiatric services, and screening for ongoing drug use. At its core, the CIM Model asks clients to be aware of craving, analyze its causes, and, based on those causes, implement specific strategies to prevent and manage craving. The CIM Model combines several treatment components, including control of exposure to environmental cues, establishment of a daily schedule, the use of behaviors that dissipate craving (tools), and treatment (with medications when appropriate) of mental health and withdrawal symptoms. The CIM Model is a client-derived approach to achieving and maintaining sobriety based on a process of analyzing craving and managing it with an individualized program of recovery activities.