This study was on social variables and dropout tendencies among secondary school students in Ikom education zone, Cross River State, Nigeria. The social variables considered were substance abuse, family type and teacher/students relationship. Out of population of 7228 students, a sample of 506 students were randomly selected for the study. A survey design was adopted. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaires titled 'Social Variables and Dropout Tendencies Questionnaire'. Three hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significant. The statistical tools used are Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Independent t-test. The results showed that there was significant relationship between: (i) substance abuse and dropout tendencies; (ii) family type and dropout tendencies; and (iii) teacher/student relationship and dropout tendencies. The results were discussed and the researchers recommended that: (i) students be monitored and counseled against substance abuse both at home and in school; (ii) parents should for the sake of their children stay together and train them; and (iii) teachers should create conducive and favourable environment for the students to learn.