The paper focuses on such problems as interpersonal aggression, accidents and injuries, trouble with the police and difficulties at school or work. The data stem from a representative, longitudinal survey of Norwegian youth aged 19 to 22 years at the first assessment and 25 to 28 at the last. Men reported more troubles related to drinking, in both alcohol consumption and general propensity for problems, than women. Early age at first intoxication seemed to be a male-specific predictor of negative consequences of drinking. Cannabis users reported more alcohol-related problems than others. There was a substantial reduction in problems attributed to drinking between late adolescence and early adulthood, implying little individual stability in such problems. Multivariate analyses showed that alcohol-related problems before ages 19 to 22 were the most powerful predictor of similar problems 6 years later. Registered criminality, cannabis use and low self-esteem also had a predictive power, but only for men. Tables, references