“Just say no.” You’ve heard it one thousand times, if not more. From the prevention programs you sat through in elementary school to the uncomfortable conversations you had with your parents, you have heard numerous tips and tricks designed to help you refuse drugs. But when push comes to shove and when you grow up, you will realize that peer pressure is very real, and saying no isn’t as easy as simply shaking your head and walking away. Most people are offered a chemical substance that they don’t feel comfortable using at one point or another. In most cases, these offerings come between adolescence and young adulthood.
How Refusal Skills for Drugs Can Help You
If you find yourself at a house party or in another social setting, and if someone you are acquainted with but maybe don’t know very well is offering you a drug of some kind, whether this is a recreational drug like cocaine or something more heavy-duty like heroin or methamphetamine, you must know how to refuse. You might be surprised to see heavy drugs in a mellow setting, but drug use is much more prevalent than you might think — especially nowadays. This is the case no matter which circle you run with. If you want to learn more about refusing drugs in a social setting, reach out to Evoke Wellness today. We are not just here to help those with addiction, but also to help anyone prevent them or a loved one suffering from addiction. Our addiction specialists are here for you or a loved one and will gladly help you with any questions you may have. We like to stop the addiction before it starts, by teaching people how to refuse drugs even in a peer pressure setting.
What are Some Refusal Skills You Can Use?
Try to implement the following refusal skills if you are ever offered a drug you don’t want to take.
- Simply say “no.” It is the oldest trick in the book, sure — but that’s because it’s effective. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for your actions or for the choices you make.
- Make up an excuse that people won’t question. This works if you are currently in recovery or don’t want to try what’s being offered. Say something like, “I have to take a drug test for work tomorrow,” or, “I’m the designated driver tonight; I don’t want to put anyone at risk.”
- Remove yourself from the situation. If you start to feel unsafe or uncomfortable, simply walk away. This is a fool-proof way to protect yourself.
- If you find that you repeatedly have a difficult time saying “no” no matter what the substance is, it might be because you are struggling with a diagnosable substance abuse disorder. If this is the case, it is a good idea to seek professional help, whether from a medical detox facility, an inpatient rehab, an IOP, or another level of clinical care.
Evoke Wellness and Drug Addiction Recovery
No matter how good you become at refusing drugs, there is always the chance that you will cave in a social setting and accept a chemical substance that you don’t necessarily feel comfortable using. At Evoke Wellness, we understand how easy it can be to fall victim to the cycle of drug abuse. You might weigh the options out at the time, considering the pros and cons and convincing yourself that using a drug one time won’t mean that you’ll necessarily get addicted and won’t necessarily lead to any serious consequences. However, certain chemical substances are so addictive that even using the woods can lead to physical and psychological dependence.
Overcome Drug Misuse and Stay Sober at Evoke Wellness
Several risk factors make some people more prone to the development of addiction than others. These Rick’s factors include genetic predisposition, environmental factors, underlying mental health concerns, and The presence of unresolved trump. If you have any of the following risk factors, it is good to stay away from technical substances entirely. However, if you have experienced a decline in substance abuse, we are available to help. Simply contact us today to learn more about our drug addiction recovery program or get started with our simple admissions process.