The desire and yearning for a specific substance or substances is known as?

The term that refers to the desire and yearning for a specific substance or substances is known as craving. This concept specifically encapsulates the intense urge to consume a substance, often experienced by individuals with substance use disorders. Cravings can be triggered by various factors, including environmental cues, emotional states, or even thoughts about the substance.

Understanding cravings is crucial in addiction treatment, as they can lead to relapse if not managed properly. Cravings can vary in intensity and duration, and recognizing these feelings can help individuals develop coping strategies and skills to resist the urge to use the substance.

Dependency, on the other hand, encompasses a broader range of physiological and psychological aspects, including tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal refers to the physical and mental symptoms that occur when a substance is reduced or eliminated, indicating a state of dependence rather than merely the desire for the substance. Addiction encompasses a more complex interplay of compulsive substance use and psychological aspects, which includes cravings as one of its components, but is not solely defined by them.