Abstract
This study established empirically defined reasons for experiences with psychoactive drugs by adolescents. By means of cross-validating procedures involving a series of principal component analyses of data obtained from three separate sample groups, three common motives or reasons for trying/taking drugs were derived: (1) a tension-reduction, or coping motive; (2) a drug-effect motive; and (3) a peer-related motive. The implications of the findings for further research and for treatment and prevention programs are reviewed.

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