Citation

Connor JP, Kavanagh DJ, Andrade J, May J, Feeney GFX, Gullo MJ, White AM, Fry ML, Drennan J, Previte J, Tjondronegoro D. Addict. Behav. 2014; 39(3): 721-724.

Affiliation

Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.11.023

PMID

24360399

Abstract

Little is known about the subjective experience of alcohol desire and craving in young people. Descriptions of alcohol urges continue to be extensively used in the everyday lexicon of young, non-dependent drinkers. Elaborated Intrusion (EI) Theory contends that imagery is central to craving and desires, and predicts that alcohol-related imagery will be associated with greater frequency and amount of drinking. This study involved 1535 age stratified 18-25year olds who completed an alcohol-related survey that included the Imagery scale of the Alcohol Craving Experience (ACE) questionnaire. Imagery items predicted 12-16% of the variance in concurrent alcohol consumption. Higher total Imagery subscale scores were linearly associated with greater drinking frequency and lower self-efficacy for moderate drinking. Interference with alcohol imagery may have promise as a preventive or early intervention target in young people.

Language: en