Physical - Use/abuse of alcohol and other drugs often is accompanied by accidents and personal injury including but not limited to cuts, sprains, bruises, and broken bones. Personal injury may be caused by self or others. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), physical violence (fights), date rape, and rape/assaults all have a high correlation to the misuse/abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Poisoning can and often does occur because of these substances, and can result in death.

Continued and long-term use/abuse of alcohol and controlled substances have been demonstrated to have a negative effect on almost every major body organ and systems. Persons who regularly use or abuse these substances have the decreased ability to fight off normal germs, and therefore have a higher incidence of illnesses requiring personal and medical treatment. The ingestion of alcohol also leads to impaired sleep. The use of alcohol or controlled substances has further been related to weight gain and poor nutrition. The ability to tolerate alcohol is identified as both a physical risk and a psychological risk, which may be one of the first indicators of developing alcoholism.

Psychological - The use/abuse of alcohol or controlled substances very often leads to forgetfulness, the inability to concentrate, impaired decision making skills, the inability to recall previously known information or events (blackouts), anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations.

Interpersonal/Social - Problems with personal identity, failure to meet personal goals, loss of student status, loss of job (work-study or other), loss of scholarships, and ineffective communication skills with both friends and family are some of these risks. Accountability for actions is an adult characteristic. Persons who are under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances continue to be held accountable for their actions regardless of the level of drug-induced impairment.

Other - Unplanned pregnancy and unplanned parent status frequently are the result of the misuse of alcohol or controlled substances. Destruction of personal property or community property is a risk to all who misuse these substances. Responsibility for another person's actions secondary to enabling maladapted behavior may result in a financial obligation to all persons present.