This study examined selected communication, social, situational, and individual factors associated with alcohol and other drugs. High school students' perceptions of these substances were analyzed to compare alcohol and other drugs. The largest effects involved communication processes. For alcohol, students knew more strategies for resisting offers, had more ability to take the perspective of alcohol offerers, were more likely to receive simple offers, and were more likely to be able to resist them. Social, situational, and individual factor effects were more moderate, showing less perception of risk for alcohol, more pressure to use, more difficulty refusing, and greater, and more frequent consumption.