Substance abuse by young people can have economic, social, physical, psychological, and most importantly health consequences. Many of these have already been mentioned respective to each specific substance. Some specific consequences of substance abuse include:

• Loss of the ability to make rational decisions which may lead to unsafe sexual practices.
• Poor school performances due to frequent absent from school. They become suspended from schooling due to frequent fighting and aggressive behaviours.
• Relationships with parents, friends, and teachers could be affected. They may neglect family duties and engage in frequent violence; fighting with family members or with their friends.
• They often break rules or commit crimes as a result of which they could be arrested and imprisoned.