When someone asks you out, but you're not interested, you have a hundred excuses. When your mom asks if you can baby-sit your little brother or sister, you say you have too much homework to do. You're practically an excuse machine. So, why should saying "no" to alcohol be any harder? The quicker and surer you are in saying no, the less someone is likely to pressure you to drink.

What to Say

Let's practice what to say if someone asks you to drink:

• "I'm already having a good time"
• "I just wanna chill"
• "It makes me kinda sleepy"
• "I'll have a soda instead"
• "I don't like the taste"
• "Nah, I don't drink, thanks"
• "I don't like how alcohol makes people act stupid"
• "Got a game tomorrow, don't want it to slow me down"
• Use humor "I'm training for the Olympics, I can't drink"
• "I don't like the way it feels"

Can you come up with a better excuse? E-mail excuses@morethanyouthink.org and we may put it up here.

What to Do

What to do if someone asks you to drink:

• Be respectful and polite when you say "no" – you don't have to raise your voice, talk to your friends how you normally would
• Be assertive and make eye contact when you say "no" – saying how you feel can earn you respect among your friends
• Make it clear to your friends that you do not want to be pressured into something you don't want to do
• Avoid bad situations ahead of time – if you know something bad might happen, don't go along with it
• Leave the situation if it's a danger to you or your friends
• Surround yourself with friends who support you and make you feel good about yourself
• Practice having confidence in your own decisions
• Set your boundaries – you don't have to do something you're not comfortable with
• Suggest other stuff you can do that doesn't have anything to do with alcohol, like going to a movie or bowling
• Speak up! Stand up against people who pressure others to drink