Teens are no strangers to peer pressure, with 90% of teenagers admitting to having experienced it at one point in their lives.[1] But, the pressure to behave or act in a particular way does not magically disappear in adulthood. Peer pressure is very much prevalent among adults, presenting challenges for young adults trying to remain sober. While the dynamics may differ, the common denominator that threatens sobriety remains. Substance abuse programs for youth near me, such as Ember Recovery, understand these pressures and have provided some tips on how to handle peer pressure in adulthood.
What Does Peer Pressure in Adulthood Look Like?
Peer pressure can occur in many different scenarios for young adults. College, professional, and social settings all lend themselves to situations that can tempt sobriety.
Peer Pressure in College
Peer pressure is a common theme in binge drinking that can occur during college.[2] Many young adults feel they have to participate in these activities to fit in and have friends. While the pressure can be overt with someone blatantly asking you to drink, there can also be implied pressure if someone casually offers you a drink or a drug to try. They may assume that you’ll try it, not fully understanding the pressure you may feel and its impact on your life.
Work Peer Pressure
Meeting for happy hour is a common practice for many people in the workplace, as they use this as a backdrop to socialize and network. While this may be acceptable for some, others may feel pressured to go, even though it may tempt their sobriety. Although they can certainly choose a non-alcoholic beverage, the pressure to drink alcohol with co-workers and have that sense of camaraderie can be highly tempting. Young adults may feel they will not be genuinely accepted among their co-workers if they don’t conform.
Social Peer Pressure
Drugs and alcohol can play a large part in the social pressure adults face. Attending parties where alcohol is served can wreak havoc on someone’s sobriety. If it is a party where drugs are also present, adults may feel pressured to use just to fit in. Knowing the people at a gathering and where it is held can give you insight into the pressures you may face so that you can decide if you want to attend and how you will handle certain situations.
How to Handle Peer Pressure in Adulthood with A Substance Abuse Programs for Youth Near Me
Handling peer pressure in adulthood resembles how teens handle the same situations. Here are some tips to remember when faced with peer pressure to use drugs and alcohol.
Practice Saying No
When faced with peer pressure, you may become tongue-tied and not know what to say. Practicing your response in front of a mirror, with a trusted friend or family member, can help you face reality more easily.
Choose Friends With the Same Values
A friend who recognizes and respects your sobriety will never put you in a situation where you feel pressured to do anything you don’t want to. Surround yourself with these types of people to avoid peer pressure altogether.
Attend a Support Group
Just because your treatment program is over does not mean you can’t still attend a support group. These meetings can allow you to express your worries and discuss any peer pressure you may be facing. Others in the group may also be able to provide you with valuable advice.
Take a Deep Breath
When faced with a situation where you feel pressured to drink or do drugs, take a deep breath. This can help to ground you as you prepare your response.
Have Clear Boundaries
Know your boundaries and make sure they are apparent to those around you. Once people know where you stand, they should respect you enough not to pressure you to do something you don’t want to do.
Plan an Exit Strategy with A Substance Abuse Programs for Youth Near Me
Decide how you will react and what your actions will be when faced with peer pressure. Prepare a way to exit a situation gracefully if you feel pressured or uncomfortable.
Host Your Own Gatherings
If social gatherings tend to be challenging for you, host your own events. This way, you can be sure that there will be no substances or people that will threaten your sobriety.
Substance Abuse Programs For Youth Near Me Help Young People Achieve Sobriety
Ember Recovery offers addiction treatment for teens and young adults who want to live substance-free lives. We offer two treatment programs: one for those ages 12-17 and another for youth ages 18-24. Each program addresses the specific issues faced by each age group. Our team not only gives teens and young adults the tools they need to become sober but also teaches them the coping skills to deal with peer pressure once their treatment program is over.
To learn more about our treatment and aftercare programs, reach out to an Ember Recovery team member today. We have helped over 5,000 youth across Iowa, let us help you.
Sources:
[1] https://study.com/academy/lesson/peer-pressure-statistics-examples-signs.html [2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11775073/#:~:text=Abstract,provides%20suggestions%20for%20future%20research.
Andrea Dickerson is a Licensed Therapist and Certified Substance Use Counselor who has worked in behavioral health since 1997. Currently, Andrea is the Director of Behavioral Health, overseeing the Ember residential treatment programs and YSS outpatient counseling clinics throughout Central and North Central Iowa. She became a Motivational Interviewing (MI) trainer in 2006 and provides MI trainings throughout Iowa.
Andrea specializes in working with adolescents and their families and enjoys seeing the family relationships grow through therapy. Andrea is also a CARF International Surveyor, going around North America ensuring behavioral health organizations are meeting required standards.
In her free time, Andrea enjoys cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs, as well as being an active member of Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA), a global organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. She has been a member of the SI of Des Moines club since 2012 and has been actively involved at the regional level, currently serving as Co-Governor of the Peaks to Plains Region.
Through her involvement in SIA, Andrea has been actively involved in the Dream Programs, coordinating annual Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls projects, which give girls the tools they need to achieve their education and career goals, empowering them to break cycles of poverty, violence, and abuse.