Having an addictive personality has its ups and downs. Some downsides are that when I eat junk food, I eat it until I cannot breathe. When I get really into a book, I read the whole thing until it's done, despite how long it takes. When I fall in love with someone, I am perfectly happy with spending every single day with them.

The biggest upside I can think of came to my attention the first time I was offered alcohol. From what I recall, I was around 15 and at a birthday party for a guy I knew from middle school. His parents were out of town, so naturally, things got out of hand. Kids were smoking cigarettes, and beer cans filled every hand except for mine. I felt quite out of place. A guy walked up to me a few moments later.

*Cue peer pressure*

Guy: "Why aren't you drinking? No one is gonna care."

Me: "Nah, I'm good."

Guy: "What, are you scared?"

Me: "No. I just don't want to."

Guy: "OK, chicken." *snickers*

Me: "I'm not a chicken... I just don't want to?"

Guy: "But why?"

Me: "BECAUSE."

Guy: "Whatever."

I wasn't going to try to explain my reasoning to not drink to this guy because I knew he wouldn't understand. If my friends asked me, I would tell them. The reason is that because I have such an addictive personality, I feel it is better to stay away from things that are already quite addictive all on their own. These include alcohol and all forms of drugs. I fear that the "high" I would get from it would be too much for me to handle. So, better safe than sorry in my opinion.

It's very hard to remain sober in this day and age. I don't have a problem with anyone around me drinking or anything like that. I just don't want to be pressured into doing something I know will not go well for me. I'm perfectly happy just hanging out at parties. Since I am sober, I can get everyone home safely. That's the most important thing to me. Just call me the mom friend. :) I'll happily get out at 3 a.m. if it means that my friends get home safely.

I hope that this article helps those who feel that they can't stay sober because of peer pressure. I'm 24 now and haven't ever had any alcohol in my life. It is possible and okay to just not want to, whatever your reason may be. It doesn't mean that you can't go to parties or have fun. As I say, I'm high on life. ;)