These considerations need to be weighed against the disadvantages of adding a new criterion that is not already included in most datasets. Points of evidence against craving are three-fold. First, the indicator of craving used in these analyses exhibited some measurement non-invariance, with Blacks less likely than Whites to endorse craving at the same level of alcohol disorder severity, and individuals 45–64 more likely than individuals 65+ to endorse craving. While measurement non-invariance has been demonstrated for many of the existing criteria (Gelhorn et al., 2008, Harford et al., 2009, Langenbucher et al., 2004, Martin et al., 2006, Wu et al., 2009), including non-invariance of most existing DSM-IV criteria by age in data similar in design and analyses to the NLAES sample (Saha et al., 2006, 2007), the inclusion of a new criterion that is measurement non-invariant should be viewed with caution. Second, existing IRT analyses of DSM-IV criteria have indicated the need for new criteria that capture the less severe end of the diagnostic spectrum (Li et al., 2007a, b, Martin et al., 2006, Martin et al., 2008, Saha
