Two types of addiction craving are found

SAO PAULO, Aug 15, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Researchers say gamblers and alcoholics have distinctive personality traits that affect their cravings.

Hermano Tavares, coordinator of the Impulse Control Disorder Unit at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, said his research results show two types of addiction-related craving: -- one is physical, which is related to withdrawal; and the other is memory-based, consisting of a desire that persists long after withdrawal has been subdued.

The study found alcohol and gambling craving are directly related to clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety, and inversely related to length of abstinence.

"We found that alcohol craving was based on the temperament factor responsible for negative emotions, (suggesting) individuals who are especially vulnerable to negative emotions are the ones who will miss alcohol the most when trying to abstain," Tavares said.

"Conversely, gambling craving correlated to the temperament factor responsible for positive emotions. This suggests that individuals who naturally lack positive emotions and require intense stimuli to experience elation are the ones who will miss gambling the most when trying to abstain."

The study appears in the August issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.