What to do when handling peer pressure

Peer pressure (or social pressure) is the direct influence on people by peers, or the effect on an individual who gets encouraged to follow their peers by changing their attitudes, values or behaviors to conform to those of the influencing group or individual. This can result in either a positive or negative effect, or both. Social groups affected include both membership groups, in which individuals are "formally" members (such as political parties, trade unions, schools), and cliques, in which membership is not clearly defined. However, a person does not need to be a member or be seeking membership of a group to be affected by peer pressure. Peer pressure can decrease one's confidence.

There has been considerable study regarding the effects of peer pressure on children and adolescents, and in popular discourse the term is mostly used in the contexts of those age groups. For children, the common themes for study regard their abilities for independent decision making; for adolescents, peer pressure's relationship with sexual intercourse and substance abuse have been significantly researched. Peer pressure can affect individuals of all ethnicity, genders and ages, however. Peer pressure has moved from strictly face-to-face interaction to digital interaction as well. Social media offers opportunities for adolescents and adults alike to instill and/or experience pressure every day. Research suggests that not just individuals but also organizations, such as large corporations, are susceptible to peer pressures, such as pressures from other firms in their industry or headquarters city.

I initially suggest that they should choose friends wisely

Just as social circles that promote drug use can make it difficult to say no, being surrounded by those who support abstinence can increase the chances of success in recovery. If you are recovering from addiction, your friends should support you through it and should not try and tempt you away from your path. Similarly, if you have not had any experience of addiction and do not want to get caught up in drug use or excessive drinking, your friends should not put pressure on you or make you feel uncomfortable. If they do, it might be worth asking if their friendship is worth your long term health.

The more information that you have on the dangers of drug or alcohol abuse and relapse, the more incentive you will have to stay clear. Knowing the risks attached to drug or alcohol use may make you think twice.