Aims: To investigate social influence, health, criminality and substance use in a sample of 1288 Norwegian rural adolescents. Relations between these factors and substance use were examined. Methods: Data were obtained from the "UngData" study. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among adolescents (n = 740) in nine secondary schools and among 548 adolescents in three high schools across two counties. The response rate was 63%. Findings: Deviant behaviours had higher social status among males and adolescents in high school. The social status of deviant behaviours and participation in criminal activities were associated with alcohol and illicit substance use. Parent-adolescent trust was positively associated with alcohol use and parent involvement with friends was similarly related to illicit substance use. The social status of physical appearance and talent in sports were negatively associated with alcohol use. Conclusions: Early intervention could promote the social status of healthy activities and reduce the status of deviant behaviours. The transition between secondary school and high school may constitute a risk period for establishing problem behaviours and interventions should target this period. Research should test whether substance availability relates to differences in substance use in rural and urban settlements. (Contains 7 tables.)