Although it varies from person to person, situations, where you have to disagree with others or refuse something, can sometimes feel awkward and difficult to handle.
Here are a few options to help you deal with situations where you may be inclined or pressured to take ice or other drugs.
If you don’t think you will be able to resist the offer or pressure to take drugs, then it may be best to stay away from that situation or group of people. Good friends should respect your decision not to use drugs. Try to hang out with people who share similar interests and do not use drugs. It may be a good idea to find new interests and meet some new people.
You can simply make excuses to get out of the uncomfortable situation. For example:
Option 3: Leave the situation
If you are offered ice, you can just give your excuses and go. This doesn’t mean you need to leave a party, or the social situation that you are in, but it may be best to walk away from that person. You can leave by saying: “I need to go to the bathroom” or “Is that Jason over there? I’m just going to say hello; I haven’t seen him in ages”.
Being assertive clearly stating your thoughts, needs and wishes whilst still remaining tolerant and respectful of others. Learning to be assertive takes practice, so don’t be disheartened if it doesn’t come straight away.
Assertive communication includes three steps:
The following is an example of assertive communication:
Pat: Just have some, your parents will never know.
Sophie: No thanks, I don’t want to risk it. They probably won’t find out but if they do I’ll be grounded for life.
Providing reasons for your decision makes it very difficult for people to continue exerting pressure. There will be the occasional person who will keep trying, but most people will stop. Usually people will see that it’s a waste of their time and will drop the subject pretty quickly.
Being comfortable with your decision will come across in your body language. You can communicate assertively by:
This just involves continually saying “no” in the politest possible way. You just say it over and over again and never change your tune:
Pat: Come on, just take some with me.
Sophie: No thanks, I don’t really want to.
Pat: Just this time?
Sophie: No thanks, not even once.
Pat: But you’re normally so fun!
Sophie: Not tonight. No thanks.
Pat: Go on…
Sophie: Yeah, but no thanks, I don’t feel like it.
Want more information? Visit Positive Choices for evidence-based information and resources that can help you make informed choices about ice and other drugs, and prepare you to support friends you may be concerned about.
Also check the related topics:
Alcohol Inhalents Cannabis Ecstasy, ICE and other Amphetamines Safe Partying Grog and Other Drugs Mob LifeSpeaking to someone about your problems can be the first steps to a solution.
