You hear clients say it all the time: “It just makes me feel better.” And they’re not wrong. Mind-altering substances work by directly affecting the brain’s reward system, flooding it with dopamine and creating a powerful sense of relief, pleasure, or escape. The article breaks down how this process isn’t random. These substances are changing brain chemistry in real time, reinforcing behavior, and teaching the brain to repeat what feels good, even when it causes harm.
As a CASAC, this is where your work gets sharper. You’re not just addressing substance use, you’re helping clients understand why it works so well in the first place. This piece pushes you to look beyond the surface and recognize the role of relief, regulation, and reinforcement in continued use.
Read the full article to deepen your clinical lens and better understand what your clients are actually chasing when they say they want to feel better.
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-inquiry/why-do-mind-altering-drugs-make-people-feel-better