Online Rehab

1 min read

Saying no without explaining

Someone offers you something. What do you say? Having a few lines ready saves a lot of stress.

You don't have to explain why you're not drinking or using. A short, friendly no is enough. The more you explain, the more people start to argue.

A few lines that work: No thanks, I'll have a soda. I'm not drinking today. I'm sitting this one out. I'm driving. Say it calmly and then ask a question about something else.

Hold something yourself, like a glass of water or soda. People will offer you things less often. Go to a party with a plan: how long you'll stay, who knows about it and how you'll get home.

If someone keeps pushing after you've said no, that says more about them than about you. You're allowed to leave if it doesn't feel right.