How has the number and proportion of cannabis treatment episodes in Australia changed over time?

The proportion of treatment episodes in Australia for which cannabis is the principal drug of concern has in general been declining since 2012-13.

The number of treatment episodes for which cannabis was the principal drug of concern has increased since 2011-12, from 32,321 to 43,553.

In Australia, cannabis was the principal drug of concern in 22% of treatment episodes in 2011-12, 24% in 2012-13, 24% in 2013-14, 24% in 2014-15, 23% in 2015-16, 22% in 2016-17, 22% in 2017-18, 20% in 2018-19, 18% in 2019-20 and 19% in 2020-21.

In Australia, there were 32,321 treatment episodes where cannabis was the principal drug of concern in 2011-12, 36,560 in 2012-13, 40,505 in 2013-14, 39,363 in 2014-15, 45,043 in 2015-16, 41,921 in 2016-17, 43,269 in 2017-18, 41,160 in 2018-19, 40,305 in 2019-20, and 43,553 in 2020-21.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services in Australia 2020-21.

Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.

Principal Drug of Concern: The main substance that leads an individual to seek treatment from an alcohol and drug treatment agency (as stated by the individual).

Treatment Episode: A period of contact between a client and a treatment provider. Only ‘closed’ treatment episodes are included in the data used here. An episode is closed if there is a change in the principal drug of concern, main treatment, or service delivery setting; if the treatment ends; or if the patient is imprisoned or dies.