Objective — to study risk inclination as a factor for psychoactive substance (PAS) abuse and its association with personal resources, such as achievement motivation, volitional control, and self-control when a PAS is occasionally used. Subjects and methods. A study group of 24 persons (mean age, 23±5.2 years) who had an experience in occasionally using cannabinoids (marihuana) at least once a week and a control group of 24 persons (mean 25±3.8 years) who had not taken cannabinoids or other forbidden PASs were examined. The study of risk factors for PAS abuse used psychological testing procedures: 1) a sensation seeking test; 2) a volitional self-control test; 3) a life orientation test; 4) the success motivation diagnostic test developed by T. Ellerth; 5) the failure aversion motivation diagnostic test developed by T. Ellerth. Results and discussion. The cannabinoid users were found to be high sensation seekers in the spheres related to asocial behaviors. The low indicators of volitional self-control, overall life meaningfulness, and the disharmonious forms of a combination of achievement motivation and aversion motivation in their performance do not allow individuals to have their own risk inclination in socialization. Conclusion. When primary prevention of PAS use is conducted in the educational environment to compensate for impulsive sensation seeking, it is necessary to propose that the pupils can meet their needs for a risk for socialization patterns directed towards various and active leisure. There is a need to introduce training programs to form HLS and to develop a motivation-need climate, volitional control and self-control. Secondary prevention using psychological diagnostic testing should identify persons who are strongly inclined towards risk-taking and should implement correctional programs to develop personal and motivational resources that can meet their needs for a risk for socially acceptable patterns.