Nearly everyone finds themselves in tricky peer pressure situations at some point. Regardless of how wisely you choose your friends or how well you think you know them, you’ll eventually face difficult decisions. These situations, however, can be opportunities to determine what is right for you.

Developing Strategies to Stand Up to Peer Pressure

• Listen to Your Gut: If you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts. Even if your friends seem okay with the situation, it might not be right for you. This is part of becoming self-reliant and learning more about who you are.
• Plan Ahead: Anticipate potential pressure situations and think about how you’ll handle them. For example, if you believe you’ll be offered alcohol or drugs at a party, decide in advance what you’ll say and do. Holding a bottle of water or soda can reduce the likelihood of being offered an unwanted drink.
• Use a “Bail-Out” Code: Arrange a code phrase with your parents that allows you to leave a situation without losing face with your peers. For instance, calling home and saying, “Can you come and drive me home? I have a terrible earache,” can be a lifesaver.
• Practice Saying “No”: Learn to feel comfortable declining offers without needing an explanation. If you feel the need to provide a reason, prepare a few excuses, like, “No, thanks, I have a swim meet next week and I’m in training.”
• Choose Like-Minded Friends: Surround yourself with friends who share your values. Having at least one person who supports your stance makes it easier to resist peer pressure.
• Blame Your Parents: If necessary, use your parents as a reason for declining, such as, “Are you kidding? If my mom found out, she’d kill me, and her spies are everywhere.”
• Seek Adult Help When Needed: If a situation seems dangerous, don’t hesitate to involve an adult

To learn more about strategies to resist peer pressure, read here.