Do men or women in Australia use methamphetamine / amphetamine more often?
Among Australians who used methamphetamine or amphetamine† in the past 12 months, both men and women were most likely to use once or twice a year. Men were relatively more likely than women to use about once a month.
19% of Australian men and 26% of Australian women who used methamphetamine or amphetamine in the past 12 months used about once per week or more.
23% of Australian men and 6%* of Australian women who used methamphetamine or amphetamine in the past 12 months used about once a month.
15%* of Australian men and 23% of Australian women who used methamphetamine or amphetamine in the past 12 months used every few months.
43% of Australian men and 45% of Australian women who used methamphetamine or amphetamine in the past 12 months used about once or twice a year.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
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.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.