Enjoyment beyond Substance Use — Clinician dialogue

Invite and obtain permission

Offer: "Would it be useful to explore enjoyment beyond substance use using an ordinary or fictional example? We can adapt it, observe, or stop." Ask what the person wants from the conversation.

Elicit before teaching

Ask: "How does this show up, if at all, in your own words?" Offer this idea tentatively: Pleasure can be explored without demanding immediate enjoyment. Ask what fits and what does not.

Guide the task

Plan a small accessible activity and notice its actual effect, including a neutral response. Ask for permission before giving an example. Use this fictional illustration if useful: Jordan tries ten minutes of drawing and is unsure whether it helps.

Reflect and check accuracy

Reflect only what was offered: "I heard you describe ___. What did I miss?" Ask: What is worth trying again, changing, or setting aside? Avoid assigning motives or interpreting silence as agreement.

Respond to a mismatch

If the person rejects the frame, say: "Thank you for correcting it. What would be more useful?" Return to their language or choose a different approach.

Close with agency

Ask which observation, question, or support request the person wants to keep. Confirm a manageable ending and appropriate follow-up; do not turn a tentative possibility into a homework obligation.

Prompts for this resource

1. Readiness, permission, cultural context, and access needs to check:
2. What is worth trying again, changing, or setting aside?
3. What would tell me to adapt, stop, or seek supervision?