Does lifetime pharmaceutical drug use in Australia vary by geographic location?
Lifetime use of pharmaceutical drugs† is significantly higher in regional/remote areas compared to major cities.
Among Australians living in major cities, 61% have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids during their lifetime; 24% have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 1% have used methadone/buprenorphine; and 64% have used any pharmaceutical drug.
Among Australians living in inner regional areas, 71% have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids during their lifetime; 29% have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 1% have used methadone/buprenorphine; and 73% have used any pharmaceutical drug.
Among Australians living in outer regional/remote/very remote areas, 70% have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids during their lifetime; 27% have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 1% have used methadone/buprenorphine; and 72% have used any pharmaceutical drug.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
Significance is established at p<0.05.
†This FAQ uses data from the National Drug Strategy Household Survey, which defines the pharmaceutical drugs referred to in this question as: the medical or 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).
Non-medical use:
-
Using a drug for recreational purposes to induce or enhance a drug experience
-
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).