A little practice. More confidence.

Drink safety lessons

Skipping the drinking game: drink safety lesson

Real moments. A few choices. Words that work.

Decide on a brief phrase to use when declining drinks, and practice stepping away from pressure. Practice the moment in a short Surefoot lesson.

Practice lessons

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Read this lesson as text

You are at a crowded off-campus house party with a few friends. Everyone is gathered around a table setup for a drinking game, and your friend hands you a cup.

Your friends are cheering and telling you it is your turn to play, but you already decided you do not want to drink tonight.

What is the best way to handle this pressure?

  • Say you are sitting this one out and step away from the table.
  • Take a small sip just to make them happy and avoid an awkward moment.

Recommended

Say you are sitting this one out and step away from the table.

You have the right to decline any drink or game without explaining your personal reasons. If people keep pressuring you after you say no, you do not have to stay and argue. You can keep your response brief, ask a friend to back you up, or move toward a different area or the exit. Choosing not to drink is always enough, and you can stop at any point.

Your next step

Decide on a brief phrase to use when declining drinks, and practice stepping away from pressure.

Words you can use

“I'm sitting this one out.”

Sources: RAINN

If something is happening now

Call 911. Stay with the person and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.