Peer pressure can be a horrible thing, but what’s worse, it can affect us at different stages of our lives. It’s something that perhaps we thought had been left to us at school, but no, you will find it at work, in the pub and even among friends.
As we get older, it’s more likely to become a little more serious and revolve around sex, drugs and alcohol, and if you’re pressured to do cocaine or drink alcohol, then it’s probably a good idea to take action. But what exactly can you do? They are your friends, after all…
Assertively reject
Of course, the first and most effective way to try to resolve the situation is to be assertive in your response and decline the invitation. It’s worth avoiding being aggressive or confrontational, but the key is to be clear and remain firm in your stance. You can express your reasoning and if they are your friends, they should ultimately respect it.
Suggest alternatives
If they continue to press you, it may be worth suggesting alternative activities to the typical settings in which they ask you the question. For example, if you are pressured to take drugs when you go to the pub or a football match, it may be worth suggesting other activities where this is less likely to be the case. For example, you might consider days of experience or go for a walk or try a new skill. This will help take your attention away from drugs and allow you to have a much better social experience and connection with your friends.
Surround yourself with supportive colleagues
You may look elsewhere for help and find other people who share similar values as you. Friendships that are cultivated around peer pressure are unhealthy and can cause real harm, so you may decide to take a step back and find groups of people who support you, are like-minded, and encourage better decisions. healthy.
Think about your interests and find groups that match. For example, if you are an avid runner, head to a running club. They are always welcoming and are a brilliant community to be part of.
Set limits
Communicating your boundaries early on can allow you to nip peer pressure in the bud fairly quickly and can also help other people not succumb and make the same decision as well. Maintaining your boundaries and allowing your friends to understand what is unacceptable to you will allow you not to compromise your values and send a clear message. If he continues to pressure you, then it’s definitely worth reevaluating your friendship.
Seek support from charities and groups
If you find it a little overwhelming or aren’t sure what to do, there are many courses of action, counselors and support groups that can help you. In reality, it may be that you are worried about your friends and think they need help. In which case, you may want to consider organizing an intervention and getting help with it.
It can be a challenging time, but by seeking help you can find both the right solution for you and the right solution for your friends.
