Pressure Patterns Worksheet Pressure Patterns
Lesson 1: Identifying Types of Peer Pressure
Student Name
Pressure Profiler
Peer pressure isn't always someone saying "Do this." It comes in different forms. Use the definitions below to categorize the scenarios you encounter.
Direct
A peer explicitly tells you what to do or asks you to try something.
Indirect
You feel pressure just by seeing what others are doing or hearing them talk about it.
Internal
Pressure you put on yourself to fit in, even if no one is actually watching.
Part 1: Identify the Pressure
"Everyone on the soccer team is drinking those 'Nitro-Blast' energy drinks before practice. They all seem so energized, and you're worried you won't keep up if you don't drink one too."
Pressure Type:
Direct
Indirect
Internal
"A friend pulls a small orange pill out of their pocket during a late-night study session. They say, 'Take this, it's just my brother's ADHD med. It'll help you focus so we can finish this project.'"
Pressure Type:
Direct
Indirect
Internal
"You're at a party and see a group of older kids laughing and passing around caffeine pills. No one talks to you, but you start feeling like you're 'uncool' for just drinking water."
Pressure Type:
Direct
Indirect
Internal
Part 2: Personal Reflection
Which type of pressure do you think is the hardest to recognize in the moment? Why?
Pressure Patterns Slides Pressure Patterns
Substance Awareness & Refusal Strategies
Module 01
Lesson 1: Identifying the Source
Essential Question
How can we maintain our boundaries and values when under social pressure?
Pressure Proof Toolkit 6th Grade Health
The Context: Stimulants
Energy Drinks
High caffeine and sugar
Marketed for "performance"
Can cause heart palpitations and anxiety
Focus Pills
Prescription meds (ADHD)
Dangerous without a prescription
Misused for "all-nighters" or studying
Common Misconception: "They aren't drugs because they're legal/medicinal."
Pattern 1: Direct Pressure
"Come on, just try it."
This is when someone explicitly asks or tells you to do something. It's the most obvious form, but often the hardest to say "No" to in person.
Examples
"Don't be a baby."
"It'll help you focus."
"Everyone is doing it."
Pattern 2: Indirect Pressure
No one is talking to you, but you see it everywhere.
Ads, social media influencers, or seeing a group of friends use stimulants creates a "new normal."
Pattern 3: Internal Pressure
"I have to do this or they won't think I'm cool."
The pressure you put on yourself.
Pressure Proof Facilitation Guide Facilitation Guide
Pressure Proof Sequence: Substance Awareness
Teacher Resource
Sequence Overview
This sequence is designed to move beyond simple "Just Say No" messaging. It focuses on the specific social dynamics of stimulant misuse—specifically **energy drinks** and **misused prescription focus pills** (ADHD medications). The goal is to build "muscle memory" for refusal through role-play and pre-planned exit strategies.
Lesson 1: Pressure Patterns
Discussion-Based
Hook: Stand up, sit down activity. Read scenarios (e.g., "Someone asks for a bite of your sandwich," "Someone asks you to skip class") to help students gauge different pressure levels.
Key Point: Most pressure is internal . We worry about what others think more than they actually care.
Lesson 2: The Refusal Toolkit
Skill-Building
Activity: Improv game "Ways to say No without saying No." Challenge students to decline a cookie or a pencil using only gestures or non-direct language.
Management: Ensure students understand that refusal isn't about being mean; it's about being firm in your own choices.
Lessons 3 & 4: Simulations
Simulation-Based
Facilitation: For the "Study Group" (L3) and "Locker Room" (L4), act as the narrator. Freeze the action at the "choice point" and ask the class to vote on which Refusal Tool to use.
Safety Note: If students have personal experiences with substance misuse in their families, handle these moments with sensitivity and refer to the school counselor if needed.
Lesson 5: The Safety Blueprint
Planning
Take-Home: This lesson requires students to talk to a parent/guardian. Encourage them to actually save the code word in their phone under a parent's contact name.
Common Misconceptions to Address
"It's just caffeine": Explain that extreme doses (energy drinks) can cause heart arrhythmias, especially in developing bodies.
"Prescription meds are safe": Emphasize that drugs like Adderall are only safe for the person they were prescribed to at the specific dose prescribed. Taking them otherwise is illegal and dangerous.
"I'll look lame": Real-world data shows most teens actually respect people who stick to their boundaries.
Refusal Toolkit Worksheet The Refusal Toolkit
Module 02: Skill-Building Workshop
Technician Copy
Saying "No" is a skill that requires the right tools. Keep this reference card handy as you practice your refusal strategies in the Refusal Lab.
The Broken Record
Mechanism:
Repeat the same simple refusal over and over without getting angry or changing your answer.
Live Example:
"No thanks, I'm good." (Repeat as needed)
The Better Alternative
Mechanism:
Suggest something else to do that moves the conversation away from the substance.
Live Example:
"Nah, let's just go grab a slice of pizza instead."
The Cold Shoulder
Mechanism:
A non-verbal strategy. Simply ignore the offer and turn your attention elsewhere or walk away.
Live Example:
Keep walking or turn to talk to someone else immediately.
The Reverse Pressure
Mechanism:
Turn the focus back on the person pressuring you by questioning their behavior.
Live Example:
"Why is it so important to you that I drink this?"
Refusal Lab: Scripting Practice
SCENARIO: A teammate offers you an energy drink before a big race.
Your Selected Tool:
Your Response Script:
SCENARIO: A friend at a sleepover has their sibling's "focus pills" and wants to try them.
Your Selected Tool:
Your Response Script:
Study Group Simulation Guide Simulation Protocol
The Study Group
Lesson 3: Simulation & Role-Play
Student Name
The Scene
"It's 8:00 PM on a Tuesday. You and your friend, Jordan, are studying for a huge Science final tomorrow. You're both exhausted. Jordan pulls out a pill bottle that belongs to their older brother. Jordan says it's 'brain fuel' and will help you both stay awake and ace the test."
Scripting Your Strategy
Work with a partner. One person plays **Jordan** (the pressure), and one person plays **You** (the refusal). Switch roles after the first round.
Jordan
"I'm so tired I can't even read my notes. Here, my brother gave me these. He calls them 'Study Helpers.' Just take one, it'll wake us right up."
You
Identify strategy used: (e.g. Broken Record, Better Alternative)
Jordan
"Don't worry about it! It's prescribed by a doctor, so it's safe. We really need this A."
You
Post-Simulation Reflection
How did it feel to play the person being pressured? What was the hardest part?
Why is it dangerous to take a medication that isn't prescribed to you personally?
Locker Room Dilemmas Worksheet Performance Briefing
Locker Room Dilemmas
Lesson 4: Athletic Performance & Energy Drinks
Student Name
The "Quick Fix" Trap
Many athletes feel they need an "edge" to perform better. But many professional and amateur athletes have faced severe health consequences—including heart issues and collapse—from mixing high-intensity exercise with high-caffeine energy drinks or unapproved supplements.
"I thought it would make me faster, but it just made my heart race so fast I couldn't breathe. I had to sit out the entire second half." — Middle School Athlete
The Locker Room Decision
The Scenario:
"Your team is about to play in the championship game. Your teammate, Sam, has a cooler full of 'X-Treme Surge' energy drinks. Sam says, 'If we all drink one now, we'll be unstoppable. Coach won't even know. Do you want to be the reason we lose?'"
1. Identify the Pressures:
DIRECT
INDIRECT
INTERNAL
2. Your Tool Selection:
Which refusal tool from your toolkit works best here?
3. The Deflection Script:
Write exactly what you would say to Sam that uses "The Better Alternative" tool.
Squad Discussion
How can you support a teammate who feels like they aren't 'good enough' without using stimulants?
Safety Blueprint Exit Plan The Safety Blueprint
Lesson 5: Personal Exit Strategies
Confidential Plan
Objective
Sometimes a "No" isn't enough to end an uncomfortable situation. An **Exit Strategy** is a pre-planned way to leave a social situation safely and quickly without feeling embarrassed.
The X-Plan: Secret Code
Work with a parent/guardian to decide on a "Code Word." If you text this word, they know to call you immediately with an "emergency" excuse to come pick you up.
My Secret Code Word/Phrase:
__________________________
What my parent/guardian says when they call:
"Example: 'Hey, something came up at home and I need to pick you up right now. I'm on my way.'"
The Support Squad
Identify 3 reliable adults you could contact in an emergency.
The "Easy Out" Excuses
Sometimes you need a believable reason to leave a situation without making it a big deal.
The "I'm sick" Excuse
"My stomach is actually killing me, I think I need to go home."
The "Strict Parent" Excuse
"My mom just texted, she's tracking my phone and says I have to be back in 5 minutes."
The "Early Morning" Excuse
"I have that huge tournament at 6 AM tomorrow, I have to get out of here."
My Own Custom Excuse:
Final Reflection
A true friend will respect your boundaries and your safety plan. If someone tries to shame you for having an exit strategy, what does that tell you about that friendship?
Safety Blueprint Slides The Safety Blueprint
Building Your Personal Exit Plan
Module 05
Final Lesson: Future Readiness
Why Have a Plan?
Pre-Thinking
It's hard to think clearly when you're stressed or pressured. Planning ahead removes the panic.
Save Face
Excuses allow you to leave a situation without "causing a scene" or feeling embarrassed.
True Safety
Knowing you have a way out gives you the confidence to say "No" in the first place.
The X-Plan Strategy
Text your code word to a parent/guardian.
They will call you immediately with a "family emergency" or a reason to pick you up. No questions asked.
Example Text
Pineapple
On my way. Calling now.
Refusal is a Strength
Staying true to your values isn't about being "perfect"—it's about being prepared.
Key Takeaway 1
You are never "uncool" for making safe choices.
Key Takeaway 2
True friends will always support your boundaries.
Pressure Proof Toolkit
Course Complete
