"Cravings" are ambiguous: ask about urges or desires.
Despite the dictionary definition of "craving" (a strong desire), two studies indicate that a substantial percentage of persons with alcohol and drug problems use the word "craving" to mean any desire or urge, even a weak one, to use substances. Researchers and clinicians are advised to beware of this ambiguity of "craving" and to consider the conceptual status of "craving" in their work.
Kozlowski
L T
LT
Clinical Institute, Addiction Research Foundation, Toronto, Canada.
Mann
R E
RE
Wilkinson
D A
DA
Poulos
C X
CX
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology*; D001143:Arousal; D003463:Cues; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D012660:Semantics; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*