An integral approach to drug craving

Abstract

Drug craving is thought to be a critical factor in compulsive drug use and relapse after treatment; yet there has been little attempt to integrate the disparate research and theoretical writing on the topic from neurobiology, pharmacology, psychology, anthropology, philosophy, and religious/spiritual traditions into a cohesive theory of craving. As a result, the field lacks clear definitions from which to develop useful assessment tools and effective treatment interventions for craving. This article selectively reviews the current scientific literature on drug craving, and proposes a comprehensive theoretical framework that integrates western science with eastern and indigenous philosophical perspectives that have the potential to add rich texture to our understandings of craving.

• Craving
• drug and alcohol treatment
• integrative medicine