Craving Among Polysubstance Using Adolescents

• NCJ Number: 222135
• Journal: Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 17 Issue: 2 Dated: 2007 Pages: 101-124
• Author(s): Paul Florsheim; Teisha Shiozaki; Regina Hiraoka; Stephen T. Tiffany; Sarah Heavin; Spencer Hall; Noelle Teske; Carl Clegg
• Date Published: 2007
• Length: 24 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study assessed "craving" ("the subjective motivational state that causes ongoing drug-use behavior among substance dependent individuals") among adolescents with polysubstance-use disorders (SUDs) and examined the association between personality traits and craving among adolescents with SUDs.

Abstract

The findings show that there are multiple ways to crave, that craving varies with users' personality characteristics, and that craving may be determined by multiple factors. There were some similarities and some differences in the structure of craving experiences associated with alcohol compared with marijuana. The craving elements of desire and intent to use were similar for alcohol and marijuana; however, marijuana cravings also contained the elements of avoidance of negative emotions and the need for pleasure-seeking/excitement. Findings also indicated that the intensity of craving among polysubstance users was similar across alcohol and marijuana. Desire to use was moderately strong for both alcohol and marijuana; whereas, most participants reported low levels of intent to use. Regarding the relationship between personality traits and drug craving, adolescents with higher impulsive/sensation-seeking traits were more likely to report wanting to use marijuana for the thrill of it and to avoid feelings of distress. Adolescents with higher anxious-neuroticism traits were more likely to report wanting to use marijuana to avoid feelings of distress only. Adolescents with higher sensation-seeking traits were more likely to want to use alcohol for emotion regulation. Future research should examine how various elements of drug craving respond to treatment. A total of 113 adolescents (ages 14-18 and 63-percent male) in substance-use treatment participated in this study. They completed instruments that measured their history of polysubstance use, personality traits, and craving. 5 tables and 65 references