Craving Experience Questionnaire Research Articles

Measuring alcohol craving: development of the Alcohol Craving Experience questionnaire

To develop a measure of craving based on the Elaborated Intrusion (EI) theory of desire and to examine the construct, concurrent and discriminant validity of the instrument. Cross-sectional. Patients from a hospital alcohol and drug out-patient service (n = 230), participants in a randomized controlled trial (n = 219) and students in a university-based study of alcohol craving (n = 202) were recruited. The Alcohol Craving Experience questionnaire (ACE) was developed to measure sensory aspects of craving (imagining taste, smell or sensations of drinking and intrusive cognitions associated with craving) when craving was maximal during the previous week (ACE-S: strength), and to assess frequency of desire-related thoughts in the past week (ACE-F: frequency). All participants completed the ACE and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). The Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS) and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) were completed by hospital patients and randomized control trial participants. Exploratory factor analysis on the ACE-S and ACE-F resulted in a three-factor structure representing imagery, intensity and intrusion. An attempt to confirm this factor structure required a reduction in items (two from ACE-S, five from ACE-F) before a good fit to the three-factor model was obtained. Concurrent validity with the OCDS, with severity of alcohol dependence and with depression, anxiety and stress, was demonstrated. The ACE discriminated between clinical and non-clinical populations and between those at higher risk of alcohol dependence and those at lower risk. A new scale, the Alcohol Craving Experience questionnaire, based on the Elaborated Intrusion theory of desire appears to capture key constructs of the theory and correlate with indices of alcohol dependence.

Tests of the elaborated intrusion theory of craving and desire: Features of alcohol craving during treatment for an alcohol disorder

We tested predictions from the elaborated intrusion (EI) theory of desire, which distinguishes intrusive thoughts and elaborations, and emphasizes the importance of imagery. Secondarily, we undertook preliminary evaluations of the Alcohol Craving Experience (ACE) questionnaire, a new measure based on EI Theory. Participants (N = 232) were in correspondence-based treatment trials for alcohol abuse or dependence. The study used retrospective reports obtained early in treatment using the ACE, and daily self-monitoring of urges, craving, mood and alcohol consumption. The ACE displayed high internal consistency and test - retest reliability and sound relationships with self-monitored craving, and was related to Baseline alcohol dependence, but not to consumption. Imagery during craving was experienced by 81%, with 2.3 senses involved on average. More frequent imagery was associated with longer episode durations and stronger craving. Transient intrusive thoughts were reported by 87% of respondents, and were more common if they frequently attempted to stop alcohol cognitions. Associations between average daily craving and weekly consumption were seen. Depression and negative mood were associated with more frequent, stronger and longer lasting desires for alcohol. Results supported the distinction of automatic and controlled processes in craving, together with the importance of craving imagery. They were also consistent with prediction of consumption from cross-situational averages of craving, and with positive associations between craving and negative mood. However, this study's retrospective reporting and correlational design require that its results be interpreted cautiously. Research using ecological momentary measures and laboratory manipulations is needed before confident inferences about causality can be made.