How to Assess Craving for Alcohol

In the recent years several drugs with an anticraving effect have been developed. These drugs should reduce the urge to drink alcohol. In the near future some of these drugs with different pharmacological profiles will be introduced to several European countries. That’s why a critical review of the psychobiological concept craving is necessary. Although widely used craving is an ill-defined term. Craving has been associated with different psychological concepts that are mostly based on behavorial theories. Furthermore, some biochemical findings probably associated with craving are reviewed. However, thus far the assessment of craving is based on self-reports, since it is a subjective cognition like pain. The magnitude of craving depends on situational factors, varying with time and place. Thus, a sufficient assessment has to include the conditions and expectancies occurring together with craving.