Do younger or older Australians use cocaine more often?
In general, Australians of all ages tend to use cocaine with similar frequency, with the largest proportion of all age groups using once or twice per year.
Among Australians aged 18-24 years who used cocaine in the past 12 months, 4%* used at least once per week or more; 16% used about once per month; 33% used every few months; and 48% used about once or twice per year.
Among Australians aged 25-29 years who used cocaine in the past 12 months, 2%** used at least once per week or more; 10% used about once per month; 27% used every few months; and 61% used about once or twice per year.
Among Australians aged 30-39 years who used cocaine in the past 12 months, 3%* used at least once per week or more; 11% used about once per month; 26% used every few months; and 60% used about once or twice per year.
Among Australians aged 40-49 years who used cocaine in the past 12 months, 1%** used at least once per week or more, 10%* used about once per month; 24% used every few months; and 64% used about once or twice per year.
Among Australians aged 50+ years who used cocaine in the past 12 months, 3%** used at least once per week or more, 12%* used about once per month; 17%* used every few months; and 68% used about once or twice per year.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
Significance is established as p<0.05.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use.
Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.