Crystal Methamphetamine (Ice)
This section provides information about the crystalline form of methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘ice’. It provides general information about ice, the demographic profile of ice users, and patterns and methods of use.
The primary source of data used in this section is the 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2024). The NDSHS is a triennial general population survey of Australians' awareness, attitudes, and behaviours relating to alcohol and other drug use. It is the best data source available to provide a national population demographic profile of Australians’ patterns of ice use.
To be consistent with terminology used in the 2022-23 NDSHS, this section of the NADK uses the term methamphetamine or amphetamine (including the street names speed, crystal and ice). 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
What is crystal methamphetamine (ice?)
Crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as ice) is a form of methamphetamine. It is typically the most potent and purest form of methamphetamine, and is usually smoked or injected. Crystal methamphetamine also goes by the names of meth, d-meth, glass, crystal, batu, or shabu.
See General Methamphetamine Information for more information about the forms of methamphetamine and how they are used.
What are the risks of crystal methamphetamine (ice) use?
The adverse consequences of using crystal methamphetamine (ice) are the same as using other forms of methamphetamine. (See FAQs What are the effects of methamphetamine use?, What are the physical health risks of methamphetamine use? and What are the mental health risks of methamphetamine use?) However, ice tends to be more potent and purer than other forms. As a result, the effects of ice are both more likely to occur and likely to be more intense than when other forms of methamphetamine are used.
What proportion of Australians have used crystal methamphetamine (ice)?
Less than one percent (0.5%) of Australians have used crystal methamphetamine (ice) in the past 12 months.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
Are men or women in Australia more likely to have used crystal methamphetamine (ice)?
Australian men and women are similarly likely to have used crystal methamphetamine (ice) in the past 12 months (0.6% vs 0.4%, 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.
What proportion of Australians who use methamphetamine / amphetamine use crystal methamphetamine (ice)?
Among Australians who used methamphetamine or amphetamine† in the past 12 months, 55% reported that they had ever used crystal methamphetamine (ice). Forty four percent reported that ice was the main form of methamphetamine or amphetamine that they used.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
† 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.
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.
Do Australians who use crystal methamphetamine experience higher levels of psychological distress, compared to those who use other forms of methamphetamine / amphetamine?
Australians who used crystal methamphetamine (ice) in the past 12 months are similarly likely to report high or very high levels of psychological distress compared to those who used other forms of methamphetamine or amphetamine† (63% vs 54%, respectively).
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
† 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.
Significance is established as p<0.05.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
Does crystal methamphetamine (ice) use in Australia vary by employment status?
Among Australians who used methamphetamine or amphetamine† in the past 12 months, unemployed Australians are significantly more likely than employed Australians to report that have used crystal methamphetamine (ice) is the main form of methamphetamine or amphetamine that they used in the past 12 months.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
Note: significance is established as p<0.05.
Employed: Self-employed or working for salary or wages.
Employment Status: Whether an individual is currently: a) employed; b) unemployed; or c) not in the labour force.
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.
Not in the Labour Force: Engaged in home duties, volunteer/charity work, student, retiree/pensioner.
Unemployed: Those who are not currently working and are actively seeking employment.
Does crystal methamphetamine (ice) use in Australia vary by geographic location?
Among Australians who used methamphetamine or amphetamine† in the past 12 months, those living in major cities and regional areas are similarly likely to report that they mainly use crystal methamphetamine (ice) (45% vs 37%*, respectively).
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.
† 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.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
Does crystal methamphetamine (ice) use in Australia vary by jurisdiction?
Australians who used methamphetamine or amphetamine† in the past 12 months were similarly likely to report that they mainly use crystal methamphetamine (ice) across all jurisdictions.
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.
† 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.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.