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, men and women use with similar frequency.
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, 6%* use every day, 16% use once a week or more, 15% use about once a month, 23% use every few months, and 40% 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, 13% use once a week or more, 14% use about once a month, 25% use every few months, and 42% 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, 16% use once a week or more, 16% use about once a month, 32% use every few months, and 32% use once or twice a year.
Among Australian women who have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills for non-medical purposes in the past 12 months, 8%* use every day, 14% use once a week or more, 18% use about once a month, 30% use every few months, and 30% 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). 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)); and tranquillisers/sleeping pills (e.g., Benzodiazepines, Sleepers, Diazapam, Tranks, Temazepam, Mogadon, Rivotril, Serapax, Xanax, Stilnox, Rohypnol, Hypnodorm, Valium, Alprax, Alprazolam).
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. 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:
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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).