Craving is usually defined as an intense desire for a substance. This is a rather controversial concept among the researchers on the chemical dependence area. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to carry out a theoretical review concerning craving at PsycInfo, Medline, ProQuest, Portal Capes and Science Direct Data Bases. METHODS: The keywords used were craving, dependence and drug, and the searching period was between 1995 and 2007. RESULTS: The results showed that many different meanings can be found for craving, some relate it only to desire, while others consider it not only as desire, but also as the anticipation of the positive result from the use of the substance, the relief of abstinence symptoms or negative affect and intention to smoke, which reflects a multidimensional view of this construct. The ethimology of craving can be explained by the following Models: Behavioral, Cognitive or Psychosocial and Neurobiological, being the option for one of them a factor that influences evaluation and usage. CONCLUSION: As a conclusion, we are in favor of craving multidimensionality, as well as the need to use a Biopsychsocial Model that integrates the various models for treating chemical dependent patients. It is also necessary to highlight the importance of carrying out more studies in oder to understand craving, for it is one of the principal risks of relapse.
Craving; chemical dependence; evaluation; treatment