Abstinence Resources

Refusal Skills

How to keep a bad situation from becoming something worse…

Say “no” and just keep saying it.  Don't offer the other person reasons or excuses; just keep saying “no”.

Ask the person why they keep putting pressure on you when you have clearly told them no.

Walk away from the person and refuse to discuss the matter further.

Know how to counter the lines people throw at you.  Here are just a few examples:

Pressure line:  “If you don't do what I want, I don't want to see

                               you anymore.”

       Response:  “If that is really the way you feel, then I don't    

                               want to see you anymore.”  

Pressure Line:  “If you really care about me you will…”

        Response:  “If you really care about me you'll respect my

                                feelings and not push me into something I'm  

                                not ready for.”

Pressure Line:  “I know you want to…”

        Response:  “If I wanted to, would I be arguing about it   

                                with you?”

Pressure Line:  “But I love you…”

        Response:  “If you love me, you'll respect my decision.”