Does lifetime pharmaceutical drug use in Australia vary by jurisdiction?
Lifetime use of pharmaceutical drugs† varies according to jurisdiction.
In NSW, 63% of people have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids during their lifetime; 24% have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 1% have used methadone/buprenorphine; and 66% had used any pharmaceutical drug.
In VIC, 63% of people have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids during their lifetime; 26% have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 0.8% have used methadone/buprenorphine; and 66% had used any pharmaceutical drug.
In QLD, 66% of people have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids during their lifetime; 26% have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 1% have used methadone/buprenorphine; and 68% had used any pharmaceutical drug.
In WA, 66% of people have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids during their lifetime; 28% have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 1% have used methadone/buprenorphine; and 69% had used any pharmaceutical drug.
In SA, 66% of people have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids during their lifetime; 26% have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 1% have used methadone/buprenorphine; and 69% had used any pharmaceutical drug.
In TAS, 67% of people have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids during their lifetime; 28% have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 1%* have used methadone/buprenorphine; and 70% had used any pharmaceutical drug.
In the ACT, 69% of people have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids during their lifetime; 27% have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 0.7%* have used methadone/buprenorphine; and 72% had used any pharmaceutical drug.
In the NT, 60% of people have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids during their lifetime; 23% have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 1%* have used methadone/buprenorphine; and 63% had used any pharmaceutical drug.
* 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).
†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).
* 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:
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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).