Is craving a key part of diagnosing behavioral addictions?
Official title: Is Craving a Central Criterion for Diagnosing a Behavioral Addiction?
Run by University of Bordeaux · NCT07854912 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are testing whether craving should be a formal clue for diagnosing various behavioral addictions like gambling, gaming, screen use, food, and sex/porn use.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 150 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Bordeaux Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bordeaux) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 2, 2026 |
| Main results expected | September 2029 |
| Study ends | September 2029 |
| Registry record updated | October 5, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07854912 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults 18 or older who regularly engage in at least one of the specified behaviors and can understand French well enough to complete assessments.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals who do not experience or report craving in relation to their behaviors may receive little diagnostic advancement from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This cross-sectional observational study examines whether the craving criterion improves the diagnosis of behavioral addictions by using item response theory to evaluate how well craving differentiates severity levels. Participants who regularly engage in the listed behaviors will be recruited across a range of severity through broad outreach, and data will come from questionnaires and telephone interviews. The analysis will focus on the discrimination and difficulty of the craving item to determine its diagnostic value. The study is led by University of Bordeaux and conducted at the Bordeaux addiction center.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If craving is found to be a valid diagnostic cue, it could refine how behavioral addictions are identified and classified.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research in behavioral addictions has used symptom-based criteria and IRT approaches; this study applies those methods to the craving criterion and its diagnostic value.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Men/Women * Be over 18 years of age * No objection to participating in the study after receiving prior information * Regularly engage in at least one of the behaviors of interest (gambling, video games, eating, screen time, sex/pornography) Exclusion Criteria: * Difficulty understanding, reading, or writing in French * Being under legal guardianship or conservatorship, or under judicial protection * Severe somatic or psychiatric condition incompatible with understanding the assessment tools * Being pregnant
Where it's running
-
Université de Bordeaux Pôle Addictologie - CH Charles Perrens
Bordeaux, France Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Marc AURIACOMBE, Ph-D — Université de Bordeaux Pôle Addictologie - CH Charles Perrens
- Study coordinator: Fuschia SERRE, Ph-D
- Email: fuschia.serre@u-bordeaux.fr
- Phone: +33 05 56 56 17 38
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.