The validity of self-recording reports made by drug and alcohol abusers in a residential setting

In this study a self-recording procedure was used to clarify the relationship between urges or cravings for drugs (including alcohol) and actual drug (including alcohol) use within a residential setting. There were two purposes of the study: first, to evaluate the predictive validity of the self-recording procedure; and second, to generate empirical data relevant to the concept of craving, which is crucial to many theories of drug and alcohol addiction. The predictive validity of the urge reports was evaluated using a behavioral measure--actual and suspected drug use incidents. These incidents were reported by staff members on all drug and alcohol abusers in residential treatment during a 2-month period. The results indicate that there is no significant tendency for there to be an increased use of drugs on the same days that drug urges are reported, and that drug use incidents are most likely associated with reports of no urges for drugs. Therefore, the predictive validity of the self-recording reports was not established. The data challenge the notion that drug usage is preceeded by or accompanied by (intense, driving) drug cravings at least within this setting.