This study evaluated a self‐rated instrument for assessing perceived craving, mood, energy, and health levels in patients who are withdrawing from cocaine addiction. The instrument consisted of four 20‐centimeter line scales. Twenty‐five patients in a 28‐day inpatient addictions treatment unit were chosen at random points in their treatment and given a chance to rate themselves on each scale by making a mark on a line that corresponded to their self‐perception. Each patient performed two self‐assessments, one day apart. The scores for each scale were correlated and found to be highly reliable. Surprisingly, none of the other three scale scores had a strong relationship with craving, and possible reasons for this result are discussed.

Fifteen male veteran cocaine addicts took simple tests of cocaine craving, mood, energy, and perceived health status for 23 consecutive days during an inpatient treatment center. Results show they experienced very little cocaine craving or other symptomatology. Multiple regression analyses show that health rating alone was the best predictor of cocaine craving. These results question solely internal sources of craving and the oft‐touted craving‐depression connection. The study delineates further implications of the findings.

Classical conditioning principles offer a nondrug way to treat cocaine dependence. Eleven male subjects with the primary diagnosis of cocaine dependence were placed into one of two groups. The experimental group was asked to handle $500 cash in a mock budgetary task. The control group was asked to just imagine handling and budgeting the money. The subjects rated their craving-related feelings before and after each task. The experimental group showed significantly more craving after the money-handling task as compared to the control group, and the scores improved with time and as more tasks were completed. These data show that craving induced by handling cash is powerful and can be attenuated, at least on a short-term basis, using classical extinction procedures.