Home Knowledgebase Methamphetamine Crystal Methamphetamine (Ice) Are men or women who use methamphetamine / amphetamine in Australia more likely to use crystal methamphetamine (ice)?

Are men or women who use methamphetamine / amphetamine in Australia more likely to use crystal methamphetamine (ice)?

Among Australians who used methamphetamine or amphetamine^† in the past 12 months, men and women are similarly likely to report that ice is the main form of methamphetamine or amphetamine that they use (44% and 41%, respectively).

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).

Please note: Significance is established as p<0.05. Australians who identify as non-binary or a different gender identity were not able to be included in the current analyses due to small numbers.

† Methamphetamine or amphetamine: The NDSHS asked about the use of methamphetamine and amphetamine (including the street names speed, crystal and ice) in 2022–2023. In 2019 and prior years, the NDSHS asked about the use of “Meth/amphetamines”, which also included the non‑medical use of pharmaceutical amphetamines, such as Ritalin (methylphenidate) and pseudoephedrine based cold and flu tablets. The change represents a break in the timeseries. Results for methamphetamine and amphetamine in 2022–2023 should not be compared to meth/amphetamines results from previous survey waves.