The Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS) was developed to screen four types of personality risk types related to substance use disorders (hopelessness, anxiety sensitivity, impulsivity, and sensation seeking). In this study, we evaluated the psychometric proprieties and reliability of the Brazilian Portuguese adaptation of the SURPS. It was also explored in this study whether the four personality types measured by the SURPS would differentially associate with motivation for specific psychoactive substance use. A cross-sectional design study was adopted in which 325 Brazilian participants took part (mean age of 27.82, SD=5.65). Internal consistency and factor model evaluation of the scale were carried out. Results indicated the SURPS Brazilian version has good internal consistency and is a valid instrument for measuring four distinct personality dimensions within the Brazilian population (RMSEA =.05; SRMR= .07; CFI = .90). Additionally, results suggested that the hopelessness, anxiety sensitivity and sensation seeking subscales were associated with preferential substances of use.The harmful use of alcohol and drugs is a major public health problem that affects economies, families and individuals' lives in countries throughout the world. In Brazil, it seems that the problem of alcohol and substance misuse has been exacerbated in the last few years due to shifts in patterns of alcohol and substance use in the majority of population groups. Alcohol consumption for example was found to have increased 31 % in the Brazilian population from 2006to 2012(Laranjeira et al. 2012 and the country was identified as one of the emerging nations where the use of stimulants such as cocaine is increasing (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime 2012). Similar to other developing countries, Brazil today requires urgent and effective strategies to prevent and treat the problematic misuse of and dependence on substances. In order to develop appropriate interventions, a clear understanding of the Int J Ment Health Addiction