Addiction and the Mediation of Hope on Craving, Readiness, and Coping

Craving, a compulsive motivation to use, and conscious readiness to change (RTC) are distinct motivators of human behavior. Recovery requires RTC despite involuntary cravings. A structural equation modeling analysis examining hope as a mediator between these constructs found craving to directly associate with precontemplation, while hope partially mediated the relationship between craving, contemplation, and coping. Craving's indirect effect on action toward change occurred only through hope. While craving appears to be a strong associate of precontemplation, hope appears to be an important associate of contemplation toward change and appears to be required for action. Hope also appears to be an important factor of coping in recovery.