Craving Model (Scroll down for Instructions)
Instructions for the Craving Model.
Getting Started
Choose a Substance: Start by selecting a substance from the dropdown menu (top left).
Adjust the Timeframe: Use the time slider at top to see projections from 1 to 60 months.
See the Model: The graph will automatically update, showing you the predicted craving baseline, daily spikes from cues or stress, and risk zones.
Craving Incubation Curve: You will see a bump in the curve early on. This is the craving incubation curve. After we quit using, our bodies, brains and nervous systems, scream at us to go back to using. This dissipates with time.
To Explore Different Recovery Paths:
Use the sliders on the left side (top on mobile) to "add" different recovery supports to your model, like Exercise, Monitoring, or Medication.
Watch how increasing these supports can lower the craving baseline and reduce the number of spikes. Red spikes are stress induced
cravings. Blue spikes are cue induced cravings.
Compare with Natural Hunger:
Check the "Show Food Overlay" box (top) to see a comparison with normal, everyday food cravings. Click "Craving Spikes" just above the graph
to see sikes in food craving to compare with drug cravings for someone with a severe alcohol or drug problem.
This helps to contrast the intensity and pattern of substance cravings with the natural hunger cues we all experience.
Simply click any option or move any slider to see immediate results! 0 indicates not engaging, and 1 indicates engaging daily.
You'll see that combining a number of treatment methods is the most effective strategy to reduces intensity of craving spikes and accelerate the craving decay curve.
For an explanation of the statistical methodology and data we used to build the model click here