Per se, increased knowledge about substance abuse has not been effective in altering social workers' negative attitudes towards substance abusers or their failure to recognize or address substance abuse problems among clients. In this paper, we describe an experiential abstinence assignment integrated with the content of an elective substance abuse course. This abstinence assignment served as a simulation of what clients in treatment for substance abuse experience. At the end of the course, most students reported they gained new personal insight and understanding on addictions and developed more empathy for addicts as a result of the abstinence experience. More rigorous research is recommended to assess the impact of this abstinence assignment on social workers' willingness to serve and awareness of clients who abuse substances. (Contains 3 tables.)