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Script and rehearse a three-step "no, thanks"

Shared by Pocketful editors

Published 2 October 2026

Prepare an escalating sequence: "No, thank you", then "No, thanks, I don't want to", then a short reason and a request for support. Make eye contact, skip long explanations, and repeat the same line if pushed. Practising with a supportive friend builds confidence.

Source

Title
Building Your Drink Refusal Skills (opens in a new tab)
Published in
NIAAA Rethinking Drinking (NIH)

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