The current research program explores the concept of motivational helplessness and its implications for drug abuse, particularly focusing on how varying degrees of perceived control over addiction can influence psychological responses and substance use behaviors. Motivational helplessness, defined as the adaptive use of perceived helplessness to reduce anxiety and manage self-esteem, may paradoxically increase vulnerability to substance abuse by reducing the individual’s perceived efficacy to resist cravings and avoid relapse. The research aims to investigate how moderate versus high levels of perceived helplessness, influenced by contextual cues about the controllability of addiction, affect guilt, anxiety, and ultimately, drug-seeking behavior. Using a mixed-method approach, we measure changes in helplessness, anxiety, guilt, and substance use behavior across different experimental conditions simulating varying levels of control over drug use. Findings from this research are expected to offer insights into the psychological mechanisms linking motivational helplessness to increased drug abuse risk, informing targeted interventions to mitigate these effects.