Runaway youths were recruited through two runaway/homeless shelters in a southwestern city. The youths' assessment included interviews and self-report questionnaires. Overall, alcohol use was differentially associated with use of services, although illicit drug use was not. Attendance at 12-step meetings predicted more alcohol use, while attendance at psychological counseling sessions as well as medical visits predicted less alcohol use. Many youths in this study engaged in help-seeking behaviors which included behavior change interventions and medical services. The study has several limitations which should be considered when interpreting results: (1) the cross-sectional design precludes conclusions regarding causality; (2) treatment outcome research with an operationalized intervention and several follow-up assessments is required to evaluate treatment effectiveness for alcohol-abusing runaway youths; and (3) results were based on self-report questionnaires and interviews, with no convergence from parents or primary caregivers. Table, references