Motives to drink alcohol are widely thought to be the proximal cognitive factors involved in the decision to consume alcohol beverages. However, the ability to restrain drinking may be a more proximal predictor of drinking behavior. The current study examined the relationships between drinking motives, drinking restraint, and both alcohol consumption and alcoholrelated problems in young adults aged 17-34 years. A sample of 221 students and nonstudents completed self-report measures assessing drinking behavior, motives for drinking and drinking restraint. Multiple regression analyses revealed that coping, enhancement and social motives were related to alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems, while cognitive/emotional preoccupation with drinking was related to all criterion variables. The relationship between coping motives and drinking behavior was mediated by preoccupation with drinking. The results are discussed in light of the roles of drinking motives and drinking restraint in risky drinking among young people. Implications for prevention and early intervention are also discussed.