The study of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) consumption is usually studied within a narrow measurement framework without a theoretical underpinning. It is therefore important to measure ATOD topology, and to outline the contribution of various facets--frequency, social context, reinforcement--on the risk for substance use disorder (SUD). In reaching this objective, this study had three goals: 1) to create a theoretically coherent schema for multidimensional measurement of ATOD topology; 2) to document the reliability and validity of the schema; and 3) to elucidate the association between family history of SUD and the topological features of ATOD consumption. The sample consisted of 131 16-year-old boys who had a lifetime history of substance use. The substance use topology is conceptualized within an operant model of behavior. Consumption is thought to be affected by three factors: motive state, social context, and beliefs and expectations. After a review of the literature, several other factors were incorporated into the schema: 1) substance use behavior; 2) behavioral pharmacological (reinforcing) consequences; and 3) social consequences of consumption. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and classical measurement theory were the main analytic methods employed to create and confirm the dimensions of the ATOD topology. The results showed that ATOD consumption topology can be characterized according to the six dimensions, which, in turn made up a single second order construct reflecting severity of ATOD involvement. The first order dimensions are: motive state, beliefs and expectations, social consequences, social context, substance use behavior, and behavioral pharmacological consequences. At 16, the second order factor score predicted transition to DSM-III-R substance use disorder at age 19. Adolescent boys having substance abusing fathers scored higher than boys having normal fathers on the motive state and substance use behavior dimensions. These findings confirmed the usefulness of a multidimensional assessment of ATOD topology for identifying youth at risk for SUD and for defining the factors contributing to SUD. Figure, tables, references