Tag: the danger of peer pressure

Are you being pressured into taking drugs?

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Peer pressure from friends can negatively influence the decisions you make. In some cases, you might feel a lot of pressure to fit in. Feeling this way can cause you to make decisions based on what you think your friends want you to do, even that’s not what you’d normally do, in hopes of fitting in or being noticed. Here’s how to avoid being pressured into using drugs with friends.

Know where you stand

Work out where you stand on issues like drugs and alcohol. Knowing your own mind makes it easier to stay true to yourself.

Prepare yourself

Think about how you’d like to respond when your friend offers you drugs or a drink, so you know what to say. Practice saying “no”- the more you do it, the easier it gets.

Choose friends wisely

Understand who’s offering you the drugs and why. Friends should understand if you say no and people you don’t know you very well may expect something in return. Surround yourself with people who respect your decisions.

Be firm

Be firm when telling your friend that you don’t want to drink or use drugs. If they try to persuade you, don’t feel like you have to change your mind.

Be yourself

Although your friends might not show it, they’ll respect you more if you’re assertive and clear about what you do and don’t want to do. You don’t need to compromise yourself to be liked. Healthy friendships will try their best to be supportive and not judge you based on your decisions.

Focus on your long term goals

Remind yourself of your goals and all you want to achieve in life. Using drugs or alcohol might derail you from where you want to get to. If the company you are keeping is not helping you reach your goals, you might want to change the people you surround yourself with,

If you continue to face peer pressure and you’re finding it difficult to deal with, talk to someone you trust. Don’t feel guilty if you’ve made a mistake or two. If you or someone you know is struggling from drug abuse You can get in touch with the following organisations:

Narcotics Anonymous on their helpline: 011 509 0031 / 083 900 6962.

NACOSA on 012 940 2829.

Remember Choma, you should never feel forced to use drugs just to please anyone or be liked. This can be hard to accept, but it helps to try.

Remember if you or a friend need advice or help, you can contact me here on Ask Choma, send me a Facebook Message, a Twitter DM, or a WhatsApp Message (071 172 3657

Here’s what peer pressure really looks like

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Our friends’ opinions really matter to us. It’s normal to want to do the same type of activities as your peers but it becomes a problem if you’re doing it just to fit in. You’d be surprised at the number of teenagers and young people who experience peer pressure without even knowing it. Here’s what peer pressure actually looks like.

Peer pressure isn’t always obvious

Although you may think peer pressure always involves being asked to do something illegal or dangerous – most of the time, peer pressure is really subtle. For example, your friends can convince you to change the way you look and dress, or your partner could keep convincing you to prove your love for them through sex.

The truth is, Choma, if you find yourself constantly having to explain or justify why you do or don’t want to feel something to your friends, you’re probably experiencing peer pressure.

Peer pressure can be non-verbal

Sometimes people don’t have to say anything to put pressure on you. For example, feeling like you need to stay longer at a party because your friends will be angry if you leave, is a kind of peer pressure. That’s because your actions are being influenced by what they expect from you, rather than how you feel.

Peer pressure isn’t always bad

Sometimes your peers can put positive pressure on you. Your friends may influence you to become more assertive, try new activities, or to do better in school. It’s better to hang around people who motivate you and encourage you to do positive things, instead of people who always get you into trouble.

Ways to deal to peer pressure

Be yourself – It’s okay if you’re interested in the same things as your friends. Just make sure that you’re doing these things because you genuinely like them and not because you want to please your friends.

It’s okay to say no – Although it might be hard at times, there’s nothing wrong with saying no to your friends or bae when they ask you to do something that makes you uncomfortable such as smoking, drinking or having sex. Remember, someone who really cares about you, won’t be upset at you for not doing something that makes you uncomfortable.

Ask for advice – Some situations make it really hard for you to say no, especially if you’re being bullied into doing something. Rather speak to your guardians, mentor, educators or Ask Choma for advice on how to handle situations where you feel like you’re being forced to act a certain way.

Peer pressure can be quite tricky to deal with. Although it can be positive, you should always do things because you really want to, and not because your friends or partner will be upset with you if you don’t.

Remember if you or a friend need advice or help, you can contact me here on Ask Choma, send me a Facebook Message, a Twitter DM, or a WhatsApp Message (071 172 3657).