Being Alcohol and Drug Free
What are your resources for being informed and making healthy decisions regarding alcohol and drugs?
- Talk with your parents. After all, they were teenagers at one time. Developing an open conversation with parents can build trust and offer a system of support as you face difficult decisions.
- Talk to your friends openly: Why do they refrain from drinking or taking drugs? Why do they drink or take drugs? After you talk with them, do some research and check facts against assumptions.
- Do your research. This is the age of the Internet. Don't just "go with the crowd"; get on the web and look up the drugs you hear about. How will these affect your life now and in the future?
- Talk with trusted adults. Sometimes it's easier to go to a mentor, teacher, doctor, church leader, or coach to ask difficult questions about alcohol and drugs.
What strategies can you use to avoid using alcohol and drugs?
- Stand by your values. It is less "cool" to drink or do drugs when it goes against your values than it is to stand up for what you believe in. Someone who pressures you to participate in illegal behavior does not have your best interests in mind.
- Be assertive. Stand by your values with assertive behavior and assertive language. Refuse to drink or take drugs, and be confident in your decision.
- Negotiate. You can be assertive and still keep your friendships. If a friend wants you to drink or do drugs with him, say no with assertiveness, but explain that you want to keep the friendship. You are willing to hang out when drinking and drugs are not involved.
- Maintain a healthy body. Eat well, sleep enough, and only put into your body what you feel is right to put into it to stay healthy.
- Avoid illegal activities. Don't put yourself into situations where you will be pressured to drink or do drugs. Steering clear of difficult decisions makes it easier to stand by your values.
