CRAVING is so often used among drug users and clinicians on three different theoretical models (Picken and suggests its importance in drug use and addiction. Johanson, 1992; Singleton and Gorelick, 1998; This is a cross sectional study where Lowman et al., 2000; Drummond, 2001). Firstly, subjects are retrospectively reporting about the phenomenological models: these models of experience of craving. Craving could also be craving are essentially descriptive rather than studied using experimental designs. In the explanatory and are based solely on clinical present study, the subjects (heroin dependents) descriptions and observations. Craving is taken were assessed with regard to subjective as symptom of an underlying addictive disease. experience of craving and its associated Secondly, conditioning models: these models are dimensions based on recall. It was revealed that based on conditioning theory. This model craving was described as a strong desire to use presumes that cues can produce a conditioned heroin. All subjects had experienced craving at response in the form of withdrawal symptoms some time during their course of drug use and including craving. Thirdly, cognitive theories: these had in general perceived craving as uncontrollable. are based on cognitive social learning theory, The subjects had attributed giving in to craving as which was developed by Marlott and Gordon a reason for regular use or relapse. The perception (1985). It is predominantly a theory of relapse. In that craving is uncontrollable suggests its this craving is viewed as a desire to consume a importance as a significant aspect of relapse and drug which is motivated by the anticipation of the continuous drug use. We inquired about the posiitive outcome from the drug. The results of dimensions that may be related to the subjective this study- the description of craving as desire to experience of craving. Although the subjects were use drug, different cues eliciting craving and quite consistent in defining craving, but the association of craving with positive outcome subjective experience in regard to various expectances (to get a high and for relief of dimensions of craving differed across the subjects. withdrawal symptoms) support the above Majority of subjects reported that only the drug of mentioned three major theoretical models of choice (heroin) could satisfy the craving, while is craving respectively. It is apparent that an existing others, reported that other drugs (other opiates theoretical model can not explain all the aspects or benzodiazepine) could also satisfy craving. of craving. So there is need for a comprehensive Some subjects reported the intensity of craving model which could explain the various dimensions to be the same every time i.e. always strong, of craving. where others reported that the intensity might vary This study is a retrospective cross-sectional on different occasions. Similarly, certain cues study and has the inherent limitations of such a elicited strong craving in some subjects and the design including recall bias. same cues produced weak craving or did not Limitation of the study: Relatively small sample produce craving at all in others. Since subjective size limits the generalizability of the results. In experience of craving with regard to various spite of all its limitations, this study is a step in dimensions is variable, during the assessment of the direction of understanding the subjective craving all these aspects should be included. experience of the craving in Indian subjects. A previous study (Merikle, 1999) carried out An additional important limitation is that the in U.S.A. found almost similar results. The findings description (and associated attributes) of craving were very similar from the two studies in spite of have been elicited using a questionnaire which is the wide difference in the setting probably because not validated due to which response has may the experience of craving is more related to have crept in. biochemical factors than socio-cultural beliefs. This further emphasizes the role of biological research in understanding this phenomena. Craving has been broadly described based American Psychiatric Association (1994) 141 REFERENCES