This episode defines cravings and discusses treatment approaches. The American Psychological Association defines a craving as an unrelenting desire, urge, or yearning. It is often a criterion for the diagnosis of drug addiction or alcoholism. It includes a recording that was originally created by Linda A Curran. It focuses attention and awareness on the breath, body sensations, and emotions can be used to promote distress tolerance , self-empowerment, and self-efficacy within the treatment of addiction. It uses imagery to target and work with longings and cravings.
Brewer, J.A., Elwafi, H.M. & Davis, J.H. (2013). Craving to quit: psychological models and neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness training as treatment for addictions. Psychology of addictive behaviors, 27(2), 366-379.
Brewer, J. A. (2017). The Craving Mind: From cigarettes to smart phones to love - Why We Get Hooked and How We Can Break Bad Habits. Yale University Press. New Haven and London.
Wise, R.A. (1988). The neurobiology of craving: Implications for understanding and treatment of addiction. Journal of Abnormal Psychology 97: 118–132.
Witkiewitz, K. & Bowen, S. (2010). Depression, craving, and substance use following a randomized trial of mindfulness-based relapse prevention. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 78(3), 362-374.
The Sober Curious Podcast & Sober Curious Book By Ruby Warrington
