Lexi Webster
Australia has a significant problem with substance abuse, with around 1 in 20 Australians suffering from addiction or substance abuse problems. Alcohol and tobacco are the most commonly abused substances, with around 1 in 3 Australians aged 14 and over drinking alcohol at risky levels. In addition, the non-medical use of pharmaceuticals is an ongoing concern. When it comes to illegal drugs, cannabis is the most commonly used substance, followed by cocaine, ecstasy, and ketamine. Recent data suggests that Victoria is the country's largest consumer of heroin, while Queensland consumes the most cannabis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most popular illegal drug | Cannabis |
| Other commonly used illegal drugs | Cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine, heroin, MDMA, methamphetamine, amphetamine, hallucinogens |
| Most common hallucinogen | LSD |
| Legal drugs with high substance abuse | Tobacco and alcohol |
| Legal drugs with non-medical use | Over-the-counter medicines, such as pain relief medicines or sedatives |
| Drug with high substance abuse among teenagers | Alcohol |
| Drug with high substance abuse among people living in disadvantaged areas | Cocaine |
| Drug with high substance abuse in Victoria | Heroin |
| Drug with high substance abuse in Queensland | Cannabis |
| Drug with high substance abuse in Tasmania | MDMA |
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What You'll Learn
Cannabis is the most popular illicit drug
Cannabis is also the most widely used illicit drug in Australia overall. In 2022–2023, an estimated 3.9 million people (18%) aged 14 and over had used an illicit drug in the previous 12 months, with 47% having used an illicit drug at some point in their lifetime. Of these, cannabis was the most common drug used recently, followed by cocaine (4.5%) and hallucinogens (2.4%).
The non-medical use of pharmaceutical drugs is an ongoing concern in Australia and internationally. In 2022, illicit drug use contributed to 2.9% of the total burden of disease and injury in Australia, including the impact of opioids, amphetamines, cocaine, cannabis, and other illicit drugs, as well as unsafe injecting practices. The age-standardised rate of total burden of disease and injury attributable to illicit drug use increased by 42% between 2003 and 2024.
While cocaine and ecstasy were used by more people in the previous 12 months, most people who used these drugs did so infrequently, with 58% of cocaine users and 59% of ecstasy users reporting they only used the drug once or twice a year. In contrast, monthly or more frequent drug use was more commonly reported among people who had used cannabis (51%) or methamphetamine and amphetamine (37%).
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Cocaine and ecstasy are popular but infrequent
In Australia, the most commonly abused substances are tobacco and alcohol. However, when it comes to illegal drugs, cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug. In 2022-2023, 11.5% of people aged 14 and over had used cannabis in the previous 12 months. This was followed by cocaine at 4.5% and hallucinogens at 2.4%.
Cocaine and ecstasy are also popular drugs in Australia, but their use is relatively infrequent. In the 2022-2023 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS), it was found that 58% of people who used cocaine and 59% of people who used ecstasy reported using the drug only once or twice a year. This is in contrast to cannabis and methamphetamine/amphetamine, where monthly or more frequent drug use was more commonly reported.
Cocaine is a stimulant drug that comes in various forms, including off-white or light brown paste, white or off-white powder, and crystal rock known as crack cocaine. The powder form is the most common in Australia and is typically snorted. Cocaine use has been increasing in Australia, with a slight rise from 4.2% in 2019 to 4.5% in 2022-2023.
Ecstasy, also known as MDMA, is typically sold in pill form but can also be found as a powder, crystals, or capsules. While ecstasy use is relatively infrequent, certain regions of Australia, such as Tasmania, have shown a significant increase in MDMA consumption. The average per capita intake of MDMA was found to be higher in regional Australia than in capital cities.
It is important to note that drug use can have harmful effects on physical, mental, and social well-being, and substance abuse can lead to addiction and long-term damage to the brain and other organs. Australia has various programs and services, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), to support individuals struggling with drug and alcohol abuse.
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Ketamine, hallucinogens, and amphetamines are used
According to the 2022–2023 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS), approximately 10.2 million people aged 14 and over in Australia had used an illicit drug at some point in their lifetime. Marijuana/cannabis was the most commonly used illicit drug in 2022–2023, with 2.5 million people having used it recently. However, ketamine, hallucinogens, and amphetamines are also used in Australia.
Ketamine is a dissociative drug that alters what a person can see and hear and creates a sense of detachment from reality. Its use has been rising in Australia in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when its use by regular drug users rose by 21%. In 2022–2023, 1.4% of Australians aged 14 and over (around 300,000 people) had used ketamine in the previous 12 months, with people in their 20s being the most likely to use it. The popularity of ketamine may be due to its greater availability, lower price compared to other drugs, and changing preferences during lockdowns. However, it is dangerous when mixed with depressant drugs like alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids.
Hallucinogens, such as LSD, psilocybin/mushrooms, and GHB, are also used in Australia. In 2022–2023, 2.4% of people aged 14 and over (approximately 500,000 individuals) had used hallucinogens in the previous 12 months, up from 300,000 in 2019. This increase was driven by a rise in the use of psilocybin/mushrooms and LSD.
Amphetamines, including methamphetamine and crystal/ice, are another group of drugs used in Australia. While the recent use of amphetamines was low at 1.0% in 2022–2023, lifetime use was higher at 7.5%. Amphetamines are often used monthly or more frequently, with 37% of users reporting this level of usage.
In summary, while cannabis is the most popular illicit drug in Australia, ketamine, hallucinogens, and amphetamines are also used by a significant number of people. These drugs can have dangerous side effects, especially when mixed with other substances, and their use can lead to addiction and other health issues.
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Alcohol and tobacco are commonly abused
Alcohol and tobacco are the most commonly abused substances in Australia. Around 1 in 20 Australians struggle with substance abuse, which can lead to long-term damage to the brain and other organs. Substance abuse can severely impact one's physical, mental, and social well-being.
Alcohol and tobacco use, along with the misuse of other drugs, are major causes of preventable disease, illness, and death in Australia. In fact, smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the country. About one-third of Australians aged 14 and above consume alcohol at risky levels.
The National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) for 2022-2023 revealed that an estimated 10.2 million people aged 14 and over in Australia had used an illicit drug at some point in their lives, with 3.9 million having done so in the previous 12 months. This survey also found that cannabis was the most commonly used illicit drug in the previous 12 months, with 11.5% of respondents reporting recent use. This was followed by cocaine (4.5%) and hallucinogens (2.4%).
While cocaine and ecstasy were used by more people in the previous 12 months, most people who used these drugs did so infrequently, with 58% of cocaine users and 59% of ecstasy users reporting they only used the drug once or twice a year. In contrast, monthly or more frequent drug use was more common among cannabis users (51%) and methamphetamine/amphetamine users (37%).
In addition to the harm caused by illicit drugs, the non-medical use of pharmaceuticals is an ongoing concern in Australia and internationally. Programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are available in many locations across Australia and offer support to those struggling with alcohol and drug abuse.
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MDMA use is higher in regional areas
Australia has a significant problem with illicit drug use, with an estimated 10.2 million people aged 14 and over (47%) having used an illicit drug at some point in their lifetime. The most common illicit drug used in the previous 12 months is cannabis (11.5%), followed by cocaine (4.5%) and hallucinogens (2.4%).
MDMA, or ecstasy, is also a commonly used drug in Australia, with 1.4% of people aged 14 and over having used it in their lifetime. While the average per capita intake of MDMA was found to be higher in regional Australia than in capital cities, a site in Hobart had the highest per capita consumption in the country. Tasmania saw the biggest jump in MDMA use between August 2022 and 2023.
There are several reasons why MDMA use may be higher in regional areas. One factor could be the availability and accessibility of the drug in these regions. Rural and regional areas often have limited access to harm reduction services and treatment options for substance use disorders, which can contribute to higher rates of drug use and make it more challenging for individuals to seek help.
Additionally, social and economic factors may play a role in the higher MDMA consumption in regional areas. Rural and regional communities often face higher rates of unemployment, poverty, and social isolation, which can increase the risk of substance use and make it more challenging for individuals to access support services.
Furthermore, the stigma associated with drug use and the lack of anonymity in smaller communities can deter people from seeking help or treatment for their substance use. This can lead to higher rates of drug use as individuals may feel they have nowhere to turn and no one to confide in about their substance use.
It is important to note that while MDMA use may be higher in regional areas, drug use is a complex issue influenced by a variety of individual, social, and environmental factors. To effectively address the issue of MDMA and other drug use in regional Australia, a comprehensive approach is needed that includes prevention, early intervention, treatment, and support services tailored to the unique needs of these communities.
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Frequently asked questions
The drug most often used illegally in Australia is cannabis. In 2022-2023, 11.5% of people aged 14 and over had used cannabis in the previous 12 months.
Besides cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, and ketamine are commonly used illegal drugs in Australia. In 2022-2023, 4.5% of people aged 14 and over had used cocaine in the previous 12 months, while 2.4% had used hallucinogens.
The most commonly abused substances in Australia are tobacco and alcohol. About 1 in 3 Australians aged 14 and over drink alcohol at risky levels, and smoking is the main cause of preventable death and disease in the country.
