No matter where you go to college and even in the real world, knowing how to avoid peer pressure to drink can be very handy. In our culture, there is a very strong pressure to drink and be able to hold you alcohol. But not everyone agrees with that culture and that is okay. You shouldn’t feel bad about not wanting to get trashed every night and no one should try to force you into it. Whether you decide not to drink altogether or you just want to limit it to one drink, here are some ways you can learn how to avoid peer pressure to drink .
The easiest way on how to avoid peer pressure to drink is to pick friends who support you. If you surround yourself with people who understand you don’t want to drink or don’t drink themselves, you will never be put in an uncomfortable situation. They even might stick up for you when others are pressuring you into drinking.
If someone offers you a drink at a party, just politely say no. Don’t go into a whole rant about why you don’t drink or what is wrong with drinking. You will just blow up the situation and cause more people to comment on you not drinking and try to pressure you more. The best thing you can do is be polite and not make a big deal about not drinking.
If you don’t want to be in a situation with alcohol, plan a fun night with your friends. You can go see a movie, go bowling, or have a spa night at your apartment. You will be able to have fun in a drink-free situation so there will be no pressure to have alcohol.
If you are at a party with a bunch of people, just fill your red cup with soda. People will see the cup and you will just blend into the crowd. Unless you want to make a statement about you not drinking, this is a simple way to have people assume you are drinking and avoid them commenting on it.
You have to remind yourself that there is a reason you don’t want to drink. Keep that reason close to your heart and stay true to it. If someone keeps bothering you about not drinking, just stay firm in saying no and walk away. There is no reason to go against your choices just to please other people.
If you are at a party or even a regular bar, stay away from the drinks and the bartender. People are more likely to ask you if you want something to drink if you are standing by the bar. If you remain on the other side of the bar or party, you won't feel as much pressure.
If you are having a blast shaking it on the dance floor, people are going to assume you already are having the time of your life and don’t need any drinks to enhance your night. By showing people you can have just as much fun sober as they have drinking, they will forget about trying to pressure you.
I never understood why some people felt the need to pressure others into drinking, but it is something everyone experiences at least once. Rather than fall into peer pressure and do something you regret, use these tips on how to stand up to peer pressure. Have these tips on how to avoid peer pressure to drink been helpful? What other tips do you have on how to stand up to peer pressure? Have you ever been pressured to drink when you didn’t want to?
Sources: wikihow.com