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Drugs are essential references in rock ‘n’ roll in general and punk in particular. The recurring presence of alcohol and drugs in the songs and discourse of key figures from Portuguese punk is not, therefore, accidental. This article considers the issue less from the point of view of practices and contexts associated with their consumption and more from the perspective of the discourses produced within the scene that explore the meaning of their use and the risk of addiction. It draws on empirical material comprising statements from 214 punk actors interviewed between 2012 and 2014 and the lyrics of what they consider to be the most influential songs. It addresses three main issues: 1) the representation of the nature of the relationship with alcohol and drugs; 2) its central position as an identity issue, i.e. regarding name, cohesion and position within the scene; 3) the diverse attitudes and discourses circulating within it.