Does lifetime pharmaceutical drug use in Australia vary by geographic location and gender?
Australian women are more likely than men to have used pharmaceutical drugs† in their lifetime in all geographic locations. The exception to this is methadone/buprenorphine, which has similar rates of use for women and men.
Pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids:
In major cities, 60% of men have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids in their lifetime, compared to 67% of women. In inner regional areas, 67% of men have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids in their lifetime, compared to 73% of women. In outer regional/remote areas, 68% of men have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids in their lifetime, compared to 70% of women.
Tranquillisers/sleeping pills:
In major cities, 21% of men have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills in their lifetime, compared to 28% of women. In inner regional areas, 21% of men have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills in their lifetime, compared to 31% of women. In outer regional/remote areas, 18% of men have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills in their lifetime, compared to 28% of women.
Methadone/buprenorphine:
In major cities, 1% of men have used methadone/buprenorphine in their lifetime, compared to 1% of women. In inner regional areas, 1% of men have used methadone/buprenorphine in their lifetime, compared to 1% of women. In outer regional/remote areas, 0.9%* of men have used methadone/buprenorphine in their lifetime, compared to 1%* of women.
Any pharmaceutical drug:
In major cities, 63% of men have used pharmaceutical drugs in their lifetime, compared to 70% of women. In inner regional areas, 69% of men have used pharmaceutical drugs in their lifetime, compared to 76% of women. In outer regional/remote areas, 69% of men have used pharmaceutical drugs in their lifetime, compared to 72% of women.
* 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).
†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., 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).
* 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.