The impact of gender, depression, and personality on craving.

Craving plays an important role in the addictive behavior process. The impact of gender, emotional state and personality on craving, however, has been understudied. Ninety-six women and 86 men seeking treatment for substance dependence were investigated regarding the association between personality factors (assessed by the Temperament and Character Inventory), depressive/anxiety symptomatology (assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory and the Beck Anxiety Inventory), and craving intensity (rated in the 7-day and the 24-hour periods prior to assessment). Recency of substance use and impulsivity were significantly associated with craving intensity for both women and men. Regression analyses revealed that depression best predicted craving for women, but not for men. These results suggest that while recent substance use and impulsivity can be important predictors of craving across gender, depression plays a critical role in craving among women. This finding underscores the need for vigorous assessment and treatment of comorbid symptomatology in women entering addiction treatment.