What term describes a strong desire or urge to use a substance?

The term that best describes a strong desire or urge to use a substance is craving. Cravings are powerful psychological symptoms that can occur during or after the use of a substance, reflecting an intense desire to experience the effects associated with its use. They can be triggered by various factors, including environmental cues, stress, and previous use experiences. Understanding cravings is essential in addiction treatment, as they often play a significant role in the relapse process.

Dependence refers to a condition where an individual experiences withdrawal symptoms when not using the substance, indicating a physical or psychological reliance on it. Tolerance occurs when a person requires an increased amount of a substance to achieve the same effect due to repeated use, which is different from the psychological desire described by craving. Withdrawal encompasses the physical and psychological symptoms that arise when a substance is reduced or discontinued following prolonged use. These concepts are interconnected, but craving specifically highlights the intense desire to seek the substance itself.