• Question: What is the scientific definition of a craving and the difference between a craving and a addiction?

    Asked by nooraya to Alex, Jools, Lynz, Matt, Rika on 14 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Matthew Dickinson

      Matthew Dickinson answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      Now this is not much my field but here goes, craving is more a longing for something. However addiction tends to be a physical need that your body requires, for example cigarettes, if you take them away from someone who smokes they will scream and shout because the nerves that have become reliant on the nicotine become staved as if this is food this does not happen.

    • Photo: Julie Greensmith

      Julie Greensmith answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      A craving is a symptom of the withdrawal of an addictive substance.

      Addiction can be either or both psychologically or physically addictive. For example, nicotine in cigarettes is physically addictive as there are parts of your cells which are so used to having it in your body that if you dont have a smoke you will feel irritable. Alcohol is physically addictive too – an alcoholic who suddenly stops drinking booze will start shaking and being sick. This is because their body is so used to the alcohol molecule.

      Cannabis is different, it is psychologically addictive and not physically. If someone addicted to cannabis suddenly stops taking the drug then they will not get the physical withdrawal symptoms like with alcohol. However, they will experience psychological problems like very bad dreams and sleeplessness.

      When you are addicted to a substance, either mentally or physically, you are in a state where you believe that you cannot go without the substance, and prioritise it over other things like eating, sleeping or even going to the toilet.

      A craving is what you get when you do not have the substance you are addicted to!

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