Craving has been defined as an intense desire for some particular
thing or, an urgent or abnormal desire. It may be that a more
useable definition is a combination of the two. Craving for an
addiction is not just a thought of the behavior. It is a mixture of
thoughts, feelings, behaviors, visualizations, and perceptions that
combine to make the want to use, drink, etc. even more intense. You can
crave anything! Some things we crave, we taste, we smell, are not
considered to be very harmful. We can crave pizza, cool weather, or
attention. We can also crave alcohol, cocaine, heroin, pain pills,
gambling, sex, or marijuana. The process and the mechanism is the same.
The consequences vary. Common triggers for craving are:
Being around it and around those who are doing it.
Being in situations that remind us of using, drinking,
smoking, etc.
Certain smells or tastes. Really anything having to do with
our five senses.
All kinds of things associated with the past addictive
behavior. Stuff like pay days, bars, sex, movies, and music.