Craving: Exploring the Components of the Desires for Alcohol Questionnaire (DAQ) and the Relation to the Severity of Alcohol Problems

Objective: The aims of this study were (a) to explore the components of craving, as measured by the Desires for Alcohol Questionnaire (DAQ), and (b) to examine how craving may relate to the severity of alcohol problems. Method: A total of 106 patients seeking treatment for an alcohol use disorder (AUD) completed the DAQ and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). The overall sample was predominantly male (63%) with a mean age of 44 years. Sixty-one percent of the participants were abstinent from alcohol at the time of the study. Principal components analysis was conducted on the DAQ for the overall, abstinent, and currently drinking samples. Correlations were computed between the DAQ and AUDIT scores, and differences in craving between the abstinent and currently drinking samples were investigated. Results: Components of craving, as measured by the DAQ, included the desire to drink, the ability to control drinking, positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement. Drinkers displayed stronger cravings (Mdn = 47.00, interquartile range [IQR] = 32.0-65.0) than those currently abstinent (Mdn = 33.00, IQR = 26.0-43.0; U = 850.0; z = 3.127,p < .01; r = .30). The intensity of craving increased with the severity of the AUD in current drinkers (r = .739, p < .001). Conclusions: Because of the small sample size, the results of the study should be regarded as preliminary. The components of craving, as measured by the DAQ, support those previously identified in the literature. The study supports the notion that craving is positively associated with the severity of an AUD.