Question

Rather than experience any negative feelings, abusers use substance to ________ feelings.

Answer 1

I'm not sure if you have choices or not but many abusers use substances to numb feelings in order to avoid negative feelings.

Numb

Answer 2

Rather than experience any negative feelings, abusers use substance to numb  feelings. Drugs that numb emotional pain as well as physical pain tend to be addictive, both because of the physical dependence that builds up, and the need to keep taking the drug to suppress emotional pain.