Covariates of craving in actively drinking alcoholics.
The goal of this cross-sectional study was to assess the relationship of alcohol craving with biopsychosocial and addiction factors that are clinically pertinent to alcoholism treatment. Alcohol craving was assessed in 315 treatment-seeking, alcohol dependent subjects using the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale questionnaire. Standard validated questionnaires were used to evaluate a variety of biological, addiction, psychological, psychiatric, and social factors. Individual covariates of craving included age, race, problematic consequences of drinking, heavy drinking, motivation for change, mood disturbance, sleep problems, and social supports. In a multivariate analysis (R(2)= .34), alcohol craving was positively associated with mood disturbance, heavy drinking, readiness for change, and negatively associated with age. The results from this study suggest that alcohol craving is a complex phenomenon influenced by multiple factors.
Chakravorty
Subhajit
S
Veterans Integrated Service Network, Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Philadelphia V.A. Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. Subhajit.Chakravorty@uphs.upenn.edu
Kuna
Samuel T
ST
Zaharakis
Nikola
N
O'Brien
Charles P
CP
Kampman
Kyle M
KM
Oslin
David
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D057229:Alcoholics / Q000523:psychology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology*; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000523:psychology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support