Do men and women in Australia use meth/amphetamine differently?
Among Australians who used meth/amphetamine† in the past 12 months, men were more likely to report that smoking was their main method of use whilst women more commonly swallowed it.
Among Australian men who used methamphetamine in the past 12 months, 46% smoked it as their main method of use; 35% swallowed it; 12%* snorted it; 6%* injected it; and 0.2%** used other methods.
Among Australian women who used methamphetamine in the past 12 months, 33% smoked it as their main method of use; 38% swallowed it; 23%* snorted it; 5%* injected it; and 1%** used other methods.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).
† 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.
* 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.
Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.