Abstinence Activities and Refusal Skills
Goals:
To create a list of protective factors (activities/friends/projects decreases the chances of
harmfully using substances).
To brainstorm ways of saying no to substances.
Have Ready:
Flipchart paper and markers, or chalk/white board.
Scenario cards (optional)
Instructions:
Read out the scenario cards one at a time (see Appendix A), or ask youth to imagine a
situation where a) someone is using more often than they want to be, or b) wants to
stop using all together.
Let youth know that having other activities that are meaningful and fun for them in their
lives decreases the likelihood of becoming dependant on a substance, and increases
the likelihood of cutting down.
The list could include:
sports/activities/ hobbies
spend time in nature
movies/video games
hang out with friends and family who are not using
what ever you think is fun
going to the community centre/hockey rink
parties/dances/community events cook/bake/make non-alcoholic drinks for your
friends
write, draw comics, paint
get a part-time job
get more involved with your community (volunteer, join or start a community
garden, hang out with your neighbors)
get information about substances and the effects they have
consider who you are hanging out with and whether or not they pressure you to
use
drive around
practice saying no
take time to think about why you’re using
use only for special occasions
seek out supports
know who you can talk to if you need help
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Debrief & Refusal Skills:
When we are choosing activities for ourselves to do, obviously they need to be things
that we will enjoy or find stimulating, things that will give us some sort of natural high.
For example, if you start going bowling instead of getting drunk, but you find bowling
excruciatingly boring it is not likely to prevent you from using.
It is also worth remembering that if we have been using for a while, it can take some
time to adjust to being sober.
Ask youth, “Can someone who’s not using any substances make a list like this?” Of
course. Taking time to consider how we want to be spending our time is part of taking
charge of our health. Remember that someone doesn’t necessarily have to have a
“problem” to want to reduce their usage. Anyone can decide to focus on meaningful
activities, whether or not they are using. People may even want to help a friend reduce
usage.
Partying could be on the list. If someone wanted to cut down on drinking, do you think
going to a party where other people are drinking is always easy? (No) A lot of times,
there is a lot of peer pressure for people to join in if they are singled out.
Ask youth, “What can people say if they don’t want to use in this situation?”
The list could include:
No thanks, I’m driving
I’ve got a big test/game tomorrow
I just don’t want to
Whatever! Someone needs to stay sober to watch out for you!
I’m hung over from yesterday
Nah, I’m cutting down, thanks though!
I’m working early tomorrow morning
Debrief continued:
Another strategy could be to appear like they are using at a party.
Some suggestions for this would be to walk around with a beer bottle filled with water,
or drinking soda but telling people that it’s spiked with liquor.
Ask youth, “Who could you talk to if you were concerned about your use?” The
Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (24 hour phone line and youth programs), guidance
counselor, teacher, elder, family member, someone you trust.
Talking with people who have accurate information about drugs and alcohol can be a
helpful (whether it’s about concerns we may have about the impact of using, looking into
why we use, or learning more about particular effects). Even just knowing who we would
talk to if we do develop concerns is a great thing to do in advance.