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It’s said everybody is the average of the five people they spend the most time with. That should be enough to understand just how impactful peer pressure can be! The people we surround ourselves with not only influence our thoughts, behaviors, and choices but can shape the very trajectories of our lives. It’s normal to crave peer acceptance and want to fit in with the people around you at any age, however, If you’re not mindful of the company you keep, you can quickly find yourself in bad situations and circumstances.
April 28, 2023
Peer pressure can be pervasive for all people, but research shows that some among us with certain personality traits are more vulnerable to its dictates. That is especially true when it comes to issues like drug addiction and alcohol abuse.
The urge to feel included can lead to terrible life choices. Understanding the role of peer pressure in addiction can help you take steps to resist negative peer pressure and make healthier choices.
In this article, we explore the role of peer pressure in addiction and address the social and environmental factors that might contribute to this. In addition, we suggest ways to combat peer pressure and resist the impulse to use substances as a way of fitting in.
Peer pressure refers to the compulsion to act or behave in a particular way to be accepted and liked by the people around you, including friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. Peer pressure can be both a positive and a negative influence. For instance, if the people in your closest circle hit the gym four times a week, you might also be inclined to start working out. If your closest friends, on the other hand, attend rave parties every weekend where they abuse drugs and alcohol, you’re likely to follow them as a means of fitting in.
Peer pressure is a natural part of human interactions, which is why it’s so important to choose your friends wisely. It can lead to dangerous and life-altering behaviors if you’re not careful of who you socialize with.
Addiction is a chronic but curable brain disorder that makes an individual compulsively drawn to a substance despite its adverse reactions. It is a complex condition that functionally alters the brain and its reward systems, affecting an individual’s decision-making skills and self-control.
Someone struggling with addiction might feel an all-consuming need to engage in a behavior or use a substance. It can cause you to sacrifice other important aspects of your life, such as family relations, work obligations, or your general health and well-being. Addiction can also cause other mental health disorders and lead to negative consequences like financial problems.
Some common examples of addiction people suffer from involve alcohol and drug use, smoking, and gambling.
Peer pressure can lead people to initially experiment with substances before leading to full-scale addiction. One study found that over 70% of drug users blame peer pressure for their addiction. The desire to fit in with groups and feel accepted can make it challenging to resist the temptation to engage in unhealthy behaviors.
Peer pressure can play a monumental role in someone becoming addicted to drugs or alcohol use. This is clearly observable in adolescents who feel pressured to drink alcohol or try drugs to be considered ‘cool’ by their classmates. The fact that around 46% of teenagers have tried a drug at least once by the time they’re in grade 12 is a clear reflection of this phenomenon. Just how catastrophic it is can be judged by the fact that more than 11% of all overdose-related deaths occur in children younger than 18 years.
Peer pressure can differ depending on age, background, and peer dynamics. Broadly speaking it can be classified into two distinct types:
This type of peer pressure is easier to recognize but challenging to resist. It involves an explicit request to engage in a certain behavior, even if it is something that, deep down, you don’t want to do.
Let’s say you’re someone who is not personally inclined to consume alcohol. However, you end up at a party where a friend or group of friends tries to convince you to take a sip. This can seem like a casual request, like “Come on, just have one drink.” It can also take the form of social rejection, like “Why are you so stuck up? It’s just a drink!”
Either way, you feel directly pressured to behave a certain way. And, before you know it, a casual drink can become a serious addiction.
Indirect peer pressure is more difficult to identify because no one is directly asking you to do anything you’re uncomfortable with. This kind of peer pressure involves a subconscious imitation of the behaviors of people around you.
For example, your friends might be extremely respectful of the fact that you choose not to drink and never coerce you to change your behavior. However, looking at everyone around you while drinking and having a good time can create a subconscious pressure to behave according to popular social norms.
Let’s look deeper at how peer pressure can contribute to addiction. Understanding the effects of social pressure is key to understanding the psychology behind unhealthy decision-making. It will also help you know what you can do to resist substances that you know are bad for you.
The fear of rejection or social isolation can be so powerful that it can override a person's desires or beliefs. You might find it challenging to resist negative peer pressure even when you understand the risks of drug or alcohol use. Because several or all of your friends are using drugs, you might be afraid to stick out like a sore thumb and give in to the harmful substance.
Peer pressure can make dangerous behaviors seem fairly regular or inconsequential, leading you to make unhealthy decisions. For instance, living in a neighborhood where drug abuse is rampant can create a social norm where addiction is not only accepted, it is even expected. When a behavior is accepted as normal by a social group, it can make it more challenging to resist engaging in it, even if you know it is harmful.
Peer pressure can also significantly affect an individual's social identity. For instance, if people you have things in common with and people you look up to consume drugs, you might be persuaded to try them because you believe you are one of them. Attaching your sense of identity to drug or alcohol usage is often what turns a simple act of consumption into an addiction.
The people around you will consciously or subconsciously affect your behaviors and actions. However, with the right strategies and support, you can learn how to say no to actions and substances that harm your health.
Here are some actionable tips to overcome peer pressure when it comes to addiction.
You can develop the strength and confidence needed to resist negative peer pressure by building resilience, fighting back, and refusing to give up. Resilience is also knowing you can bounce back, no matter what you face in life. It can help you detach from the fear of losing your social group if you don’t engage in the same activities as them.
Some ways to build resilience include:
Positive influences can make a lot of difference in your life, especially so in terms of pushing back against harmful influences. Having a support network of individuals who encourage healthy behaviors and discourage negative ones can be incredibly beneficial in resisting negative peer pressure.
Here’s how you can surround yourself with positive influences:
Perhaps the most important strategy of all in overcoming addiction-related peer pressure is seeking professional help. It is often the first step away from trouble and towards health and recovery. Professionals can provide guidance, support, and resources to help you build resilience, resist negative peer pressure, and recover.
Understanding the role of peer pressure in addiction is crucial for individuals who are struggling with substance abuse. Use the framework we have provided to devise your own strategies to be resilient and resist negative social pressure to engage in unhealthy activities.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and needs professional help, reach out to Hollywood Hills Recovery. Our team of experienced professionals provides personalized treatment plans and a supportive environment to help you overcome addiction and build a healthy, fulfilling life
We have a wide range of addiction programs to help you no matter the type or severity of your condition. Take the first step towards recovery from addiction today with Hollywood Hills Recovery!
Our incredible intake team is ready to answer all your questions and guide you through the process.
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