It is also a good time to talk to teens about drinking and to equip them with the knowledge to handle situations involving alcohol. Even teens who would not normally be tempted to drink alcohol may be drawn in by certain social situations, so don’t assume they have all the facts they need to resist peer pressure. Parents and trusted adults can play a meaningful role in shaping youth’s attitudes toward drinking. In most scenarios on how to deal with peer pressure, it turns out to be unable to tackle feelings that come when you avoid peer pressure.

Even if you work hard to fight it, you may find yourself giving in to pressure from friends or classmates. Learn how to resist peer pressure and live according to your own values. Unspoken pressure to conform can play a significant role in substance use. According to how to deal with peer pressure a 2012 study, passive peer pressure has a greater effect on teen smoking than active pressure. In other words, teens with friends who smoke are more likely to also smoke. Being pressured by peers can be a stressful experience, whether it happens in person or online.

Learn strategies that can help you handle negative peer pressure.

Positive peer pressure could motivate individuals to exercise, display integrity and avoid drugs or alcohol. There are several different types of peer pressure that kids and adolescents may experience. Types of peer pressure include spoken and unspoken, direct and indirect, and negative and positive. Teens empowered with tools to face challenging social situations gain important opportunities to express their values. They have confidence to do what’s right and skills needed for healthy future relationships.

• When a teachable moment presents itself, ask how your teen would have responded to a similar situation.
• If your teens don’t have quite enough confidence to walk away on their own, encourage them to look for a like-minded peer or friend who feels the same way they do in a particular situation.
• Knowing the facts can help you to resist pressures based on the idea that “everyone is doing it” and that you must party to fit in.
• This is also a stage in life where friend groups are of utmost importance and the need to fit in is a major factor in decision making.

We tend to hear more about the potentially negative effects of peer pressure. For instance, two friends might put positive pressure on each other to go to the gym together and stay accountable for their fitness goals. Finally, peer pressure can be described as either positive or negative.

Is Peer Pressure Always Negative?

Though peer pressure is not usually used to describe socially desirable behaviors, such as exercising or studying, peer pressure can have positive effects in some cases. The NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator can help you recognize and find high quality treatment for alcohol use disorder. If you drink excessively, seek medical help to plan a safe recovery as sudden abstinence can be life threatening. NIAAA’s Rethinking Drinking can help you assess your drinking habits and provides information to help you cut back or stop drinking.

Or as you’re riding together in a car you may be exposed to real life situations on the streets around you. Comment on what you notice and ask your teen to consider how the kids you pass should handle a given situation. These strategies allow teens to develop skills without forcing them to focus on themselves.