The Effects of Peer Pressure It happens every single day in the United States, even in my community; another teenager succumbs to the temptations that all young people face while in high school. Drug and alcohol use has become an epidemic, primarily due to peer pressure. More than fifty percent of adolescents aged twelve to twenty have dealt with alcohol at least once in their lives, statistics indicate that adolescents who drink or use drugs are more likely to behave violently. They are more likely to attempt suicide and/or develop problems such as depression and addiction later in life. Peer pressure is not recognized as a major contributing factor to this phenomenon. Peer pressure has many negative effects. Teenagers tend to make bad decisions when they are surrounded by their friends. When we are with friends, we are forced to do something we wouldn't normally do. Peer pressure is a powerful effect that changes our decision making. Bad habits can form from this terrible atmosphere we surround ourselves with. You may not be a weekend partier, but if a friend invites everyone over, you don't want to be the only one who doesn't show up. Peer pressure can change your attitude in a split second, you can transform from a loner at home to a party animal. Because of peers, many teenagers drink against their will. Peer pressure is the culprit in creating alcoholics or drug addicts. Peer pressure is inevitable as there are always "cool kids" around school that we look up to too. The parameters of good and evil have been replaced by "what is there" and "what is outside". Most teenagers are vulnerable to anything that crosses their path. Some don't understand that they are slowly ruining their lives by giving in to peer pressure....... middle of paper... just because the "popular kids" have it. It's very important to realize that life isn't just about fitting in with others around me, it's about recognizing who I am and knowing that my decisions will have an effect on me later in my life, whether it's my clothes, my friends or my actions. . It's very important to make friends and socialize with everyone, but there are ways to make new connections and socialize with people without being pressured by others. I will never let my friends shape my identity; I will be myself and, being their friend, I will appreciate the differences in their tastes compared to mine. If my friends ask me to change who I am to "fit" with them, I'm better off without that "friend." The key to not succumbing to peer pressure is to be confident and comfortable with yourself, without giving in to societal influences.