Dealing with Difficult Situations

Most youth experience peer pressure at some point whether it be from a friend or an acquaintance.  It’s not always easy or comfortable to deal with that peer pressure.  On one hand you know that you don’t want to do whatever it is that they are asking you to because it is either dangerous or harmful, but on the other hand you don’t want them to think you are judging them. So what can you do?  In these types of situations where friends or peers are trying to pressure you to use alcohol or drugs, you need an “out”.  Here are a few tips that you can try:

• Tell them you have something important to do the next day such as playing in a sport, taking a test, etc. and don’t want alcohol or drugs to interfere with your ability to function or to be successful. 

 

• When you are at a party with your friends keep a bottle of soda or tea with you.  That way if someone asks you to drink you can say you already have something.

 

• If you are going to a party with your friends where you know there will be drinking or substance use, offer to be the one to drive.  That way you know that you and your friends have a safe way home.

 

• If you are at a party pretend keep yourself busy such as start to dance or help play/find music for everyone to listen to.

 

• Tell them that you don’t want to get in trouble with your parents or that they require you to check in with them when you get home and don’t want to get caught. 

*Have a “code word” you can use with you parents that you can give them a quick call or text so that they know you need them to come pick you up if you feel you are in a bad situation. 

​Reference: https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/6-tactful-tips-resisting-peer-pressure-to-use-drugs-and-alcohol