Do men or women in Australia use pharmaceutical drugs for non-medical purposes more often?
Among Australians who have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids for non-medical purposes in the past 12 months, women are more likely than men to use every few months. Men are more likely than women to use once or twice a year.
Among Australians who have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills for non-medical purposes in the past 12 months, women are more likely than men to use every day. Men are more likely than women to use about once a month.
Pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids
Among Australian men who have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids for non-medical purposes in the past 12 months, 8% use every day, 12% use once a week or more, 15% use about once a month, 19% use every few months, and 46% use once or twice a year.
Among Australian women who have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids for non-medical purposes in the past 12 months, 7%* use every day, 12% use once a week or more, 14% use about once a month, 26% use every few months, and 41% use once or twice a year.
Tranquillisers/sleeping pills:
Among Australian men who have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills for non-medical purposes in the past 12 months, 3%* use every day, 10% use once a week or more, 22% use about once a month, 22% use every few months, and 43% use once or twice a year.
Among Australian women who have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills for non-medical purposes in the past 12 months, 7% use every day, 11% use once a week or more, 16% use about once a month, 22% use every few months, and 43% use 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). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).
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., sleepers, benzos, tranks, temazzies, temaze, rivotril, serepax, serries, xanax, xannies, stilnox, rohypnol, rowies, valium) and methadone/buprenorphine (e.g., done, junk, jungle juice, bupe, sub).
Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
Non-medical use: A drug used:
- By itself to induce a drug experience or feeling; or
- With other drugs in order to enhance a drug experience.