Do men and women in Australia use different types of pharmaceutical drugs for non-medical purposes?
In general, similar proportions of Australian men and women have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids, tranquilisers/sleeping pills, and methadone/buprenorphine for non-medical purposes.
5% of Australian men have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids in their lifetime, compared to 5% of women.
4% of Australian men have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills in their lifetime, compared to 4% of women.
0.3% of Australian men have used methadone/buprenorphine in their lifetime, compared to 0.2% of women.
2% of Australian men have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids in the past year, compared to 2% of women.
2% of Australian men have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills in the past year, compared to 1% of women.
0% of Australian men have used methadone/buprenorphine in the past year, compared to 0% of women.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
Please note: This FAQ uses data from the National Drug Strategy Household Survey, which defines the pharmaceutical drugs referred to in this question as: the non-medical use of pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids (Oxycodone, Morphine, Codeine products such as Panadeine Forte (excluding paracetamol, asprin and ibuprofen where these drugs are the only active ingredients)); tranquillisers/sleeping pills (e.g., Benzodiazepines, Sleepers, Diazapam, Tranks, Temazepam, Mogadon, Rivotril, Serapax, Xanax, Stilnox, Rohypnol, Hypnodorm, Valium, Alprax, Alprazolam) and methadone/buprenorphine (e.g., Done, Junk, Bupe, Sub).
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. Significance is established at p<0.05.
Non-medical use:
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Using a drug for recreational purposes to induce or enhance a drug experience
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Using a pharmaceutical drug in a way that it was not prescribed / recommended (e.g. using it to enhance the effects of an illicit drug, taking it more frequently or at higher doses to induce a feeling, for performance enhancement including athletic and academic performance, or for weight loss).