In the recent years several drugs with an anticraving effect have been
developed. These drugs should reduce the urge to drink alcohol. In th
e near future some of these drugs with different pharmacological profi
les will be introduced to several European countries. That's why a cri
tical review of the psychobiological concept craving is necessary. Alt
hough widely used craving is an ill-defined term. Craving has been ass
ociated with different psychological concepts that are mostly based on
behavorial theories. Furthermore, some biochemical findings probably
associated with craving are reviewed. However, thus far the assessment
of craving is based on self-reports, since it is a subjective cogniti
on like pain. The magnitude of craving depends on situational factors,
varying with time and place. Thus, a sufficient assessment has to inc
lude the conditions and expectancies occurring together with craving.