Are Australian methamphetamine users more likely to be diagnosed with or treated for a mental illness, compared to those who do not use methamphetamine?

Australians who used meth/amphetamine in the past 12 months were more likely to have been diagnosed with or treated for a mental illness (31%) than those who had not used meth/amphetamine in the past 12 months (17%).

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.

† Meth/amphetamine: This term covers a range of stimulant drugs including methamphetamine and amphetamine. The National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) described meth/amphetamine as including drugs commonly known as speed, ice, crystal, whizz, Ritalin, or pseudoephedrine-based cold and flu tablets.