Zeitschrift für Hirnforschung

Craving as a clinical outcome

Abstract

Ligia Neves Castanheira

This presentation aims to discuss clinical approach to craving, regarding diagnosis and prognosis and craving as an intervention target. Craving can be evaluated reliably, using relatively easy instruments to implement. Currently, craving is not a consistent predictor of relapse, although the potential prognosis can be improved with researches that identify the conditions under which the craving is more strongly associated with the use of substances. There is considerable support for the inclusion of craving as a clinical result in the research of the treatment of substance use disorders. Craving as a target for intervention studies initials show that it can function as a mediator of the treatment outcome, and there is support for more intensive investigations of the true impact of treatments aimed at craving.
In conclusion, “desire” has a considerable clinical significance in several domains as research progresses, it is expected that the potential clinical craving continues to expand.