Craving's place in addiction theory: Contributions of the major models
Abstract
We examine in this paper the unfolding of craving concepts within 18 models that span roughly 60 years (1948-2009). The amassed evidence suggests that craving is an indispensable construct, useful as a research area because it has continued to destabilize patients seeking treatment for substances. The models fall into four categories: the conditioning-based models, the cognitive models, the psychobiological models, and the motivation models. In the conditioning models, craving is assumed to be an automatic, unconscious reaction to a stimulus. In the cognitive models, craving arises from the operation of information processing systems. In the psychobiological models, craving can be explained at least in part by biological factors with an emphasis on motivational components. Finally, in the motivation models, craving is viewed as a component of a larger decision-making framework. It is well accepted that no single model explains craving completely, suggesting that a solid understanding of the phenomenon will only occur with consideration from multiple angles. A reformulated definition of craving is proposed.
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Substance use becomes compulsive as a conditioned response mediated by the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system and experienced as craving.
“Consequently, substance use becomes compulsive, resulting in a powerful conditioned response mediated by the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system that is subjectively experienced as craving (Skinner & Aubin, 2010).”
From Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement versus CBT for co-occurring substance dependence, traumatic stress, and psychiatric disorders: Proximal outcomes from a pragmatic randomized trial (2016) · cites this paper as Skinner & Aubin, 2010
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Skinner, M. D., & Aubin, H.-J.
- Affiliations
- Centre hospitalier Emile Roux (FR)
- Hôpital Paul-Brousse (FR)
- Corresponding author
- Skinner, Marilyn D.
- ORCID
- Aubin, Henri-Jean
- Venue
- Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2010-03
- Volume
- 34
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 606-623
- ISSN
- 0149-7634 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2089852331
- Cited by
- 372
- References
- 22
- Citations by year
- 2026: 16 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 56 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 23
- FWCI
- 1.59
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
- Keywords
- craving, addiction theory, substance use disorders, conditioning model, cognitive models, psychobiological model, motivation model, decision-making, treatment seeking
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Humans, Models, Neurological, Models, Psychological, Motivation, Terminology as Topic, Substance-Related Disorders
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