WAYS TO TALK TO YOUR STUDENT ABOUTPEER PRESSURE AND ALCOHOL
THE OFFICE OF WELLNESS PROMOTION
What is Peer Pressure?
A peer could be a friend, classmate, co-worker, etc. Peer pressure can be direct or indirect
Direct: Someone directly asks the student to drink alcoholIndirect: A student feels the need to try it after seeing otherstudents drinking at a party, on social media, etc.
Peer pressure is when a person feels influenced by someone to dosomething they otherwise would not.
People of all ages andbackgrounds can be affectedby the negative influences ofthose around us, especially
college students whenalcohol is present. By
knowing more about peerpressure, parents andsupporters can help
communicate to theirstudents about how to avoidit and ways to turn down a
drink.
College students are very influenced by their peers. Compared toadults, teens are more likely to ignore the risk for the rewardwhen their peers are present. According to the National Instituteon Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, college students overestimatehow much their friends drink. College students are more likelyto give into peer pressure in social settings. They are also morelikely to consume alcohol if people around them are consuming.If someone shows up to a social setting alone, their chances ofdrinking increases.
Peer Pressure and Alcohol Use
How to Avoid Peer Pressure
Say "No thank you!"Say "I have to get up early for class/work."Say "I'm driving tonight."Say "I'm tired and leaving soon."Suggest something different to doReach out to other friends/peers for support in your decisionto not consume alcoholLeave the situation/setting where the pressure to consume istaking place
No one should ever be pressured to drink alcohol against theirown wishes and judgment. Here are some ways to communicate to your student about howto turn down alcohol:
OCTOBER 2021
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Reference:Gonzales, M. (2020, February 28). Peer pressure and alcohol. Drug Rehab. Retrieved September22, 2021, from https://www.drugrehab.com/addiction/alcohol/peer-pressure/.
Benefits of Saying No
The avoidance of the negativeeffects of alcoholThe chances of getting homesafely increaseThe avoidance of driving whileintoxicatedFeel more self-control andconfidence
The pros of resisting peer pressurefar outweigh the cons. Somebenefits your students canexperience as a result are:
Think ahead about who you can call or reach out to if you arefeeling pressured to drink when in social situations. Have an exit plan in mind if the temptation to consume alcoholbecomes too much.Surround yourself with strong people and friends who respectyour decisions!
Reminders to communicate to your student:
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