Questions and Answers

Answers are intended for help and perspective, not as pronouncements of Church doctrine.

No one has tried to get me to use alcohol or drugs yet. I really believe in the Word of Wisdom, but I wonder if I’ll have the courage to say no. I hate to say no to people or make them angry at me. What can I do to make sure I won’t give in?

Our Answer:

You need to realize that you are not alone in having to face the temptation of alcohol or drugs or in being afraid of how you will be treated when you say no.

The answer to your question is that you must begin preparing long before you face an insistent friend with a bottle of beer in his hand. You need to decide now, within yourself, that drugs and alcohol are not in your best interest and that you will never use these substances.

To help yourself do this, you should first learn the facts. Drugs and alcohol are powerful mood-altering chemicals that are poisonous to the human body, especially to the nervous system. The chemical reactions in the brain that produce the “fun” are the very processes that break the body, poison the mind, and destroy the spirit of the user. Our Father in Heaven gave us wise medical advice in counseling us to avoid these substances.

After making a personal decision not to use these chemicals, you need to determine how to avoid people, places, and situations where drugs and alcohol are present. A wise father counseled his children to “stay out of dark places.” One successful drug and alcohol treatment program counsels its young recovering addicts to try new interests and find new friends to help avoid temptation.

In spite of your best efforts, you may still be invited to use these harmful substances. That’s why you need to develop and rehearse ways of saying no. Get advice from, and practice saying no with, nonusing friends, parents, youth leaders, seminary teachers, your bishop, etc. If you do, you’ll know exactly what to say and do when the time comes.

You should also be warned that your reluctance to say no suggests a possible lack of self-esteem and self-love. Sometimes when we have difficulty saying no to others and setting limits that are in our best interest, it is because we lack feelings of self-worth.

Self-esteem, or how we see ourselves, is something we earn by what we do. As we do good things, have personal victories, develop our talents, and experience personal growth, we tend to view ourselves in a more positive light. Look for and create successful experiences (no matter how small) for yourself, and you’ll see yourself as someone whose opinion matters. This makes it a lot easier to say no when you need to.

Self-love is a gift that you give to yourself. Heavenly Father gives his love freely to all of his children, sinners and saints alike, and holds you in the highest regard for your divine worth. Knowing that you are his child, shouldn’t you also give yourself the same gift of unconditional love? Once you have experienced and acknowledged the embrace of God’s love for you, you’ll find it easier to make decisions in the interest of your divine potential, no matter whom you have to say no to.

Finally, know that even though some decisions we make as followers of the Savior are not popular with the world, great joy and blessings will come from having followed the path. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:10).

Put your faith in the One who loves you most and knows you best, and He will support you in this decision, as well as in any trial you may encounter. Pray for the courage to do what you know is right, and then do it. As you do you will enjoy the blessings of a healthy body, clear mind, and strong spirit.

Youth Answers:

I made a mistake similar to the one you wish to avoid because I was afraid I would not be accepted by my so-called friends. This is the biggest mistake I have ever made. I was enslaved to that habit for the next eight years. I am just now getting over my addiction.

Drugs caused my love for life to slowly fade. I was ready to give up on life when I decided to turn my life around. I had to get rid of a “friend” to let go of the ties that held me back.

I now love myself enough that nobody can shake who I am. I do not know you personally, but I love the person you wish to be. If you ever have to give up a friend to protect yourself, do it. If your friends insist on falling, don’t tumble with them.

Name withheld

The key to overcoming peer pressure is to decide now to say no, and then when the situation arises, say no right away. That way, people know where you stand. Most people will respect your decision if you’re honest with them immediately. However, if they don’t respect your decision, they aren’t true friends. A true friend loves you and wouldn’t want to hurt you. Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are true friends and will bless you for your decision to say no. The Lord loves you unconditionally and doesn’t ever leave you all alone. You are a child of God. Ask Him for help.

Jason Wheeler, 18
Ririe, Idaho

The Lord knows all the trials and tribulations that the youth of the latter days go through, but remembering that he is always there to help you and that he loves you will help you be sure to not give in to temptations. Remember the faithful words of Nephi and believe that the Lord will never give a commandment to his children without preparing a way for them to accomplish the thing which he has commanded.

Christeena M. Riggs, 17
Chandler, Arizona

I believe peer pressure is one of the more difficult problems to deal with in high school. It’s sometimes very scary to be different than the average person. No one wants to be rejected. But you would be surprised at how many of your friends would rather not drink, smoke, or take drugs, but are scared to admit it.

There were five hundred students in my high school, and I was one of only three Latter-day Saints. I sent out fifty invitations to a party for my sixteenth birthday. On the bottom I put, “No alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs.” When I gave those invitations out, my parents and I were afraid that no one would come to the party. However, thirty-five out of fifty invited did come.

About a month later, I received an invitation to a friend’s party. On the bottom it read, “No alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs.” I received many similar invitations over the next two years.

What you have to do is decide now what you will do and then stick to it. True friends will accept you for who you are. They may continue to smoke or drink, but they won’t pressure you once you’ve politely said, “I don’t smoke” (or drink, or whatever). If they do continue to pressure, find a new set of friends who accept you for you and what you stand for.

Michelle Seibert, 21
Merritt Island, Florida

You are a lucky one if nobody has even offered you a cigarette. I was not so lucky.

It began with what I thought was going to be dinner at a small cafe. After we were on our way, my best friend informed me that really we were going to a party at someone’s house. Instead of insisting that I be taken home right away, I went along. That was mistake number one. Mistake number two came when I decided that I looked stupid being the only one not drinking, so I gave in and had a few drinks. That started my trouble with alcohol.

I wish I could let someone else feel the way it feels when you are in that kind of a prison. Your whole sense of reality is numbed to the point that you don’t care what you do anymore. So be scared! It will save a lot of tears and heartache, and maybe your life if you’ll only be scared!

Always know that there is a way back if you stray from the iron rod. But it saves you a lot of pain and time and embarrassment if you never let go.

Just remember that your Heavenly Father loves you so much that he gave his Son for you. Please don’t throw that away.

Name withheld

I know just how you feel. I have already been faced with that question. If a friend asks if you’d like to use any type of drug or alcohol, say NO and walk away. They’ll respect you for your willpower.

Just tell yourself ahead of time that you’re not going to use drugs or alcohol. I know saying no is hard, but once you’ve said it the first time, it will be a lot easier to say it the second time. Good luck!

Andy Johnson, 15
Hughson, California

The main thing is to be with people you know and trust, who aren’t going to pressure you into the wrong things. Drugs and alcohol are very real problems in this world, and you need to pick more stable friends than those who are having these problems. But, most important, you have to know yourself. I wouldn’t go to a place where I couldn’t trust myself or where I might be tempted to break the Word of Wisdom. It just isn’t worth it.

Make friends who would protect you from drugs and alcohol, not tempt you to use them. Be yourself and stand firm for what you know is right. Trust in the Lord. You couldn’t have a better friend! And, if your friends are truly your friends, they won’t think about ever pressuring you into something that is wrong.

Lisa M. Eyres, 16
Phelan, California

I know how you feel. It’s a very frightening thing. I’ve been offered drugs and alcohol at school. I know what drugs and alcohol can do to your body, but I still thought, “What do I do? I know it’s not right, but I want to make and keep friends.”

We are being tested. I prayed and remembered Doctrine and Covenants 89:7 [D&C 89:7]: “And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.” I also remembered the Lord’s promise not to test us beyond our abilities.

Remember, the Lord loves you and doesn’t want to lose you. He’ll help.

Benjamin Godfrey, 15
Rochester, New Hampshire

Photography by Peggy Jellinghausen