Limits and Boundaries

Knowing when to call it a night—or what to say when someone’s making you feel uncomfortable—can be tough, especially when you’re high. It’s not always easy to speak up or set boundaries in the moment.

This section is here to help. We’ll talk about how to set limits with others, and how to protect yourself when those limits aren’t respected. Whether it’s about sex, chems, or the vibe of the space you’re in, limits and boundaries are key to staying safe and feeling good about your choices.

Limits vs. Boundaries: What’s the Difference?

Understanding the difference between limits and boundaries can help you protect your peace, communicate clearly, and feel more in control—especially when partying.

Concept	Definition	Sounds Like	Depends On
Limit	A request or expectation you place on someone else.	“Please don’t pressure me to slam.” “I’d prefer to keep things oral-only tonight.”	Someone else respecting your request
Boundary	An action you take to protect yourself, no matter what others do.	“If I feel pressured to slam, I’ll leave.” “If things go beyond oral, I’ll step away.”	Your own behavior and follow-through

Limits ask for change. Boundaries enforce change.

Why This Matters

Limits help you communicate what you’re comfortable with.
Boundaries help you stay safe when others don’t respect your limits.
You can set both—and they can shift over time as you learn what works for you.

Real Talk

You might not always stick to your limits. That’s okay. You’re human. What matters is learning from the experience and adjusting as needed.

Boundaries are your backup plan. They’re how you take care of yourself when things don’t go as planned.

Definition adapted from Seanna Crosbie, LCSW-S. Read more at seannacrosbie.com.

Managing the Comedown

Managing the Comedown After the high comes the crash. It’s normal to feel sluggish, sad, cranky or sick for a few days after partying.
How rough will it be? That depends on which drugs you took, how much, for how long, and what you got into. Your body also is wiped from lack of sleep, quiet, food, water, or time to rest. Give it these things now!
Crash Course:
- Drink more water than you think you need. Yes, water!
- Caffeine can help with low energy but only a bit.
- You likely won’t feel up for your job, social plans, or chores. Postpone if you can.
- Give into sleep whenever possible.
- Try to get fresh air at least once a day.
- If you start having really dark feelings, reach out to someone even if you really don’t want to — just one text.
- Do not make major life decisions while you’re coming down. Girl, just don’t