> One might argue that if someone is appreciated on the basis of whether that person makes one feel good in the moment - they are being treated no different than a drug

The efficacy of psychology can vary widely with each party - both the patient and the helper.

While mood-altering drugs are more consistent in general, their effects degrade, depending where one is on the usage timeline (1st use, 10th, 100th).

I use Kratom to somewhat dull the effects of mild anxiety. It is enough to preserve general functionality - and that, in-turn, makes causes (of anxiety) less forbidding to consider.

Doing this means I tend to live in a '10th use' space. To preserve that benefit, I don't try to increase dosage if I venture into distress territory. My current regimen is helpful or it isn't.