Mini Series 13 - Peer Pressure Can Kill

One of the most difficult things to do is to resist peer pressure to drink or use. Here are some thoughts on how to neutralise that threat.

1. Chances are that the people you thought were your true friends were maybe not. They hung around with you or you with them when the real attraction was the opportunity to drink and abuse drugs, and often both.
2. So, the first order of business is to jettison those people who are a danger to your sobriety. Like saying “go away” to your dealer. It’s a problem if you owe him any money. But don't let that scare you into making a deal with him that has you dipping back into the pot for more pot.
3. Same goes for your bartender. You owe him or her no explanation for not going back to that bar. If it’s connected to the restaurant, just don’t eat there anymore. Easy.
4. Your so-called friends who are still using and drinking might pressure you to join them in the “fun”. It always takes a while to separate the wheat from the chafe, anyway. Your true friends will support your recovery, not try to subvert it.
5. An easy out, if asked why you’re not drinking in a social situation such as a wedding, is to just say: “Oh, I’m not drinking today”. And chances are they’ll leave you alone and not try to push anything on you.
6. You are best, however, to stay out of situations that may serve as triggers for you, at least in the early going. There’s an old saying in AA:” Hang around the barber shop long enough and sooner or later, you’ll get a haircut.”