Illicit substance use among adult males in Australia, 2013/14–2020/21
Ten to Men Insights #2 Report: Chapter 3
November 2022
Brendan Quinn, Rebecca Jenkinson, Jennifer Prattley, Karlee O'Donnell, Clement Wong, Rukhsana Tajin, Bosco Rowland
Ten to Men
Download Commissioned report
Overview
Australia has one of the highest rates of illicit drug-related burden in the world. In 2018, 3% of total disease burden in Australia was attributed to illicit drug use. Use of illicit drugs is more common among Australian males than females. In 2019, an estimated 17.5% of Australian males aged 14 and above had used one of 12 illegal drugs in the past year, compared to 10.7% of females. National data also indicate that recent rises in the prevalence of use of certain drugs, such as cocaine, have been driven by increased usage rates among males.
Higher rates of drug use among males mean they experience more associated harms. In 2018, males experienced more than twice the total burden associated with illicit drug use than females aged up to 84 years. More specifically, research has shown that Australian males experience more than double the rate of disability-adjusted life years associated with drug use disorders than females, and a higher percentage die from unintentional drug-induced overdoses involving numerous drug types. Mental ill-health is also relatively common among Australian males who use drugs. In consideration of this, along with looking at illicit drug use, this chapter will also explore whether the use of cannabis - one of the most commonly used illicit drugs - is an effect on the experience of mental ill-health (specifically, experiencing depressive symptoms) over time.
The prospective design and representative nature of Ten to Men (TTM) affords novel opportunities to examine drug use patterns over time among a sample broadly reflective of Australian adult males. Furthermore, determining trajectories of drug use among certain population subgroups, and factors associated with the progression to - or maintenance of - more harmful patterns of use, could help in identifying optimal points in drug use cycles to intervene and interrupt transitions to more harmful use patterns.
This chapter aligns with Australia's current National Drug Strategy's priority relating to developing and sharing data, including the monitoring of existing and emerging drug issues to provide advice to health, law enforcement, education and social services sectors for informing individuals and the community regarding risky behaviours.
Key messages
-
Prevalence of past-year cocaine use among adult Australian males rose significantly from 4% to 7% between 2013/14 and 2020/21. This change appeared to be driven by an increase in use among younger men (<35 years).
-
Prevalence of past-year cannabis, ecstasy and meth/amphetamine use remained relatively stable across the same time period among adult males at 17%, 3%-5% and 3%-4%, respectively.
-
Recent use of cocaine among Australian men was associated with younger age, living in major cities (vs non-metropolitan areas) and living in households with greater combined incomes.
-
Frequent (weekly or more) cannabis use was associated with higher average depressive symptoms, irrespective of age and related factors, when compared to men who reported no usage in the previous 12 months.
The authors of this Insights #2 report chapter are extremely grateful to the many individuals and organisations who contributed to its development, and who continue to support and assist in all aspects of the Ten to Men study. The Department of Health and Aged Care commissioned and continues to fund Ten to Men. The study’s Scientific Advisory and Community Reference Groups provide indispensable guidance and expert input. The University of Melbourne coordinated Waves 1 and 2 of Ten to Men, and Roy Morgan collected the data at both these time points. The Social Research Centre collected Wave 3 data. A multitude of AIFS staff members collectively work towards the goal of producing high-quality publications of Ten to Men findings. We would also especially like to thank every Ten to Men participant who has devoted their time and energy to completing study surveys at each data collection wave
Featured image: © GettyImages/zodebala
Jenkinson, R., O’Donnell, K., Prattley, J., Quinn, B., Rowland, B., Tajin, R., & Wong, C. (2022). Illicit substance use among adult males in Australia, 2013/14–2020/21. In B. Quinn, B. Rowland, & S. Martin (Eds.), Insights #2 report: Findings from Ten to Men – The Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health 2013-21. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.
Related publications

Gambling participation and harm among Australian men
This chapter from the Ten to Men Insights report #2 examines the prevalence of gambling participation and the financial…
Read more
Mental health care needs and access among Australian men: A…
This chapter from the Ten to Men Insights #2 Report examines health care usage among men in the context of their…
Read more
Recent natural disasters in Australia: Exploring the…
This chapter from the Ten to Men Insights #2 Report investigates Australian men's experiences of natural disasters and…
Read more