Say No to Drugs and Alcohol
To "Just Say No" to drugs and alcohol, one must have a reason and that reason must be there are more interesting, and less destructive activities to choose from, which are legal. It also helps to have an Find the Answer to Most Questions to peers who may offer these substances to you. Be strong as sometimes you may have to lie about the amount of drugs you have had that recently, e.g: "I have already had far too much tonight", or, "Sorry dude, it doesn't agree with my chest, I get really bad asthma". When declining the offer keep strong but calm, if you become too abrasive to the dealer there could be consequences, for they are most likely interpreting your decline differently than your meaning. Keep in mind, people who offer you drugs, are most likely on drugs.
Steps
- Realize that abusing drugs may lead to devastating events in people's lives. These could include prison, homelessness, job loss, financial difficulties, serious medical problems such as an overproduction of serotonin and even death.
- Think about what other things in life you can do, such as activities that are more fulfilling than drugs. Maybe investing in a career, or practicing an instrument. Drugs can destroy family ties, so spend time strengthening bonds with your family and friends.
- Examine all activities broadly, to help you Discover What You Really Want from a New Career. Think about the compliments received from utilizing your skills, the rewards of pursuing an interesting career, or how much your new found self-esteem really means to you. Write down your goals and tick each goal as you achieve it. Don't set your goals too high, make sure they are reasonable, or you will just set yourself up for failure.
- Compare the results, long term and short term, of your new lifestyle. If you were taking drugs, the results would never be as good.
- Realize that enjoying life and pursuing new interests is more satisfying and easier (long term anyway) than abusing drugs.
- Prepare yourself for occasions where strangers may offer drugs to you. It could be a street corner or a party. By now, you should be able to tell the person why you choose to refuse or chose not to participate in what they are offering. If in a moment of weakness you choose to try drugs again, first, think it through very carefully. Second, make sure you are in a safe environment with people you love and trust.
- Try to associate with people who do not use drugs, and avoid situations where they will be used and given or offered to you. Try immersing yourself in activities that are made more difficult by drugs, such as driving, talking on the phone, learning something new, or jogging.
- Have a good friend who you can talk to about any situation where you are tempted to take drugs. This will help you be more accountable, and it should provide you with positive feedback from someone who genuinely cares about you.
- Remember that the future is full of promise and abusing drugs might rob you of those beautiful things in life.
- Look at the list of people who have been destroyed, even killed, by drugs. Just because many Rock Stars, actors or friends use them doesn't make them cool; you must make your own decisions. For every star who looks cool taking drugs, there is one who is in rehab, or has died.
- Forgive yourself if you feel you made a mistake by trying drugs. If you don't make mistakes in life, how will you learn? Accept your mistakes and don't be hypocritical when you see people around you making the same mistakes. The thing that matters is what lies ahead of you, not what is in your past. The past has taught you a valuable lesson. Learning from your mistakes has made you a stronger person today.
- Just say NO. Make sure you are firm and strong. If you come across as weak, the person following you will latch on.
- Walk away. Try to lose them if at all possible. Find a crowded location or look for somewhere you can find someone responsible and reputable. If you're in school, find a teacher.
- Tell an adult about it. Make sure that you alert an appropriate person about the encounter. Give all the details you can.
- Call the police or an authoritative person. This step is one to take if you are not in school. Move away from those who have offered you drugs before calling the police. If they hear you, they may become angry or violent.
- Avoid further encounters. You should avoid the person who offered drugs at all costs. It would also be advisable to avoid the place where you were offered drugs.
- Change the subject. example: No thanks, lets go play some baseball.
- State a fact. example: No thanks! My parents would ground me for life!
Tips
- Have the willpower and confidence to know that you don't need drugs.
- Have activities and interests that do not involve drugs.
- Be aware of your talents and skills. Write your accomplishments down so you can think of them in times of trouble. Have hope.
- Think about what you like doing the most. Enjoy life.
- Closely examine what has made you feel valuable in the past.
- The Past. You can succeed no matter what you have done in the past.
- Realize that you can create your own "buzz" by caring about others and planning for your future.
- Be aware that your mind will try to trade one dependency for another. Sometimes people who quit cigarettes will start food, for example. Make sure you don't trade your addictions, that only solves one problem with another.
- You could start a support group with your drug free friends.
- Just remember that DRUGS ARE BAD, say it in your head over and over and over again. If you're in a sticky situation with a drug dealer trying to offer or persuade you into taking drugs just say no. Even trying drugs once,or just having a little taste, can suck you into it. Don't be abrasive. Just say no in a non-threatening manner.
- You can never look back at a substance-abusing episode with the attitude that it is going to hold you back or interfere with your goalsTake Pride in Being a Perfectionist. Always remember how you utilized your skills in the past and learn from it. Analyze Your skills and Job Options.
Warnings
- Try not to put yourself in situations where drugs could be involved.
- Avoid parties or social gatherings where drugs will be present.
- If necessary seek medical advice or treatment facilities as withdrawing from drugs can be dangerous or even life threatening.
Related Articles
- Quit Drinking Alcohol
- Avoid Alcohol While at College
- Teach Your Child to Avoid Drugs
- Understand Why People Use Drugs
- Avoid Being Abused
