Often teens are tempted to try and abuse alcohol because of peer pressure. If all your friends drink and you don't want to, it can be hard to say "no, thanks." No one wants to risk feeling rejected or left out. Friends may tell you that it's cool, it's relaxing, and it'll make your Friday night so much more fun. Until you picture yourself all alone, lurching down the road and throwing up and possibly being attacked... nothing cool or fun about that!
The next time you find yourself at an event where there is alcohol and your mates are urging you to drink, remember that there are several ways to avoid Alcohol. Try out some of these...
- Say no and mean it. No explanation needed.
- Plead homework or sports practice - no friend would want you to fail at school or be kicked off the team.
- Say you're not feeling well and wouldn't want to get sick.
- Blame an authority figure. Say that your parents will kill you if you come home drunk or smelling of alcohol.
- Pour yourself a Coke, Sprite or Red Bull and others might assume it's a mixer and leave you alone.
- Tell others that you have relatives who are/were alcoholics.
- Be the designated driver, or even designated friend supervisor, for the evening.
Back to list ...
