Craving

The thesis of this chapter is that the unconscious (basic) craving process, consisting of activation within limbic incentive motivation and memory systems, is ultimately responsible for relapse behaviors. The chapter first includes a brief discussion of current clinical conceptions of craving. This is followed by an argument for what aspect of human craving animals may experience. This leads to a description of various animal models (primarily using rats) that indirectly measure activity of a basic craving mechanism. A final section is provided with examples of the utility of animal models of craving illustrated with translational evidence. It is argued that basic craving is amenable to study by animal models of craving that measure motivated drug seeking behavior. Furthermore, reflection on a distinction between conscious (subjective) craving and basic craving leads to the following possible conclusions: one could treat the conscious craving and this would provide some benefit to the addict. But what would remain is the basic craving response to drug-paired stimuli, situations, and even drug-focused thought processes. Reducing basic craving using pharmaco- or behavioral therapies based upon animal model findings may ultimately be more effective at reducing relapse behaviors.