Do younger and older Australians use different types of pharmaceutical drugs for non-medical purposes?
The non-medical use of both pain-killer/pain-relievers/opioids and tranquillisers/sleeping pills is generally higher among young and middle-aged adults (aged 18 – 49 years), while older adults (aged 50+) tend to have lower rates of use.
Among Australians aged 18-24 years, 7% have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids for non-medical purposes in their lifetime, and 3% have done so in the past year. 5% have misused tranquillisers/sleeping pills in their lifetime, and 3% have done so in the past year.
Among Australians aged 25-29 years, 6% have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids for non-medical purposes in their lifetime, and 2% have done so in the past year. 5% have misused tranquillisers/sleeping pills in their lifetime, and 2% have done so in the past year.
Among Australians aged 30-39 years, 6% have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids for non-medical purposes in their lifetime, and 2% have done so in the past year. 5% have misused tranquillisers/sleeping pills in their lifetime, and 2% have done so in the past year.
Among Australians aged 40-49 years, 6% have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids for non-medical purposes in their lifetime, and 2% have done so in the past year. 5% have misused tranquillisers/sleeping pills in their lifetime, and 2% have done so in the past year.
Among Australians aged 50-59 years, 5% have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids for non-medical purposes in their lifetime, and 2% have done so in the past year. 4% have misused tranquillisers/sleeping pills in their lifetime, and 1% have done so in the past year.
Among Australians aged 60+ years, 4% have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids for non-medical purposes in their lifetime, and 2% have done so in the past year. 2% have misused tranquillisers/sleeping pills in their lifetime, and 1% have done so in the past year.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
†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., sleepers, benzos, tranks, temazzies, temaze, rivotril, serepax, serries, xanax, xannies, stilnox, rohypnol, rowies, valium).
Significance is established as p<0.05.
* 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.
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.