Social Pressure Experienced
According to research, the majority of young people try substances during their lifetime. Typically, intoxicants are tried for social reasons, and the appeal of intoxicants is based on the need to belong. If drugs are used in a group of friends, you may feel that you should do the same. Refusing to use drugs is easily interpreted as refusing to socialize. For example, the reason for using alcohol is less often the alcohol itself, the taste of alcohol or getting drunk, but a social event related to it. In other words, substance use has a symbolic meaning associated with social situations.
Social pressure is experienced by people of all ages and no one is immune to social pressure. Many feel guilt and shame when using substances. Despite this, substances are used because it is assumed that this is what should be done. Balancing with social pressure is not easy for anyone. Often the pressure is related to certain situations in which the person is expected to use substances. These can be, for example, parties and weekends.
It is good to consider what causes the pressure to use substances. Does the pressure come from your own thoughts or from your friends? The use of substances related to social situations can be questioned, and talking about the use of substances can spark a good discussion. When talking, it may turn out that other guys don’t want to use drugs either, but don’t dare to refuse. Social relations and the feeling of belonging should be strengthened by other means. These can include meaningful joint hobbies and activities.
Help should be sought if intoxicants are the only thing that produces pleasure or a sense of belonging. Primarily, help should be asked from an adult who is perceived as safe. In a conversation with an adult, you can go through the feelings related to social pressure and substance use. Adults task is also to provide young people with a safe environment to spend time together, as well as to help them apply for those activities that increase substance-free togetherness.
The most important way to combat the social pressure related to the use of substances is to make sure that the group of friends is united by something other than just the use of substances. Substance use and related social pressure are combated by social means, not by opposing substance use, substance users or situations related to substance use. Adults should also remember that the problem brought up by young people should not be underestimated and should be dealt with constructively without judging the young person.