This article draws on a research project which employed a sequential mixed-method approach with a sample of fifteen year olds (n=95) as a pilot study to guide the development of a large scale qualitative study investigating youth substance use patterns, processes, settings and drug transitions within the south east region of Ireland (Van Hout 2009a-d; 2010). The focus here is on the qualitative strand of the pilot research although reference is also made to the survey data. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 73 young people (30 male and 43 female) to provide insight into their ‘lived experience’, with the varied levels of youth alcohol, cigarette and drug involvement confirming the different profiles, processes and ‘reinforcers’ for recreational substance use within normative peer contexts.The research was used to inform the development of localised school- and project-based drug prevention interventions relating to cigarette, alcohol, cannabis and drug use with specific focus on gateway transitions, social norms and harm reduction modalities.